India and Iran hold Strait of Hormuz safe passage talks on sidelines of BRICS meet
Primary region BRICS
Tags Energy · Diplomacy · Trade
Regions BRICS · Middle East · Asia
India and Iran held talks during the BRICS Foreign Ministers' meeting in New Delhi to secure safe passage for approximately 40-50 India-bound ships stranded west of the Strait of Hormuz, through which 40% of India's crude and 90% of LPG imports pass. Eleven Indian ships have already exited following diplomatic engagement; 13 remain in the Persian Gulf. India has begun implementing austerity measures on oil, foreign exchange, and travel. PM Modi met with Iran FM Araghchi on May 14 before departing for a UAE visit on May 15.
Strategic interpretation
India's dual-track diplomacy — meeting Iran's FM then visiting the UAE president — reflects its precarious balancing act between competing regional powers. The stranded ships represent a direct threat to India's energy security, giving Tehran significant leverage. India's austerity measures signal that the government expects the energy disruption to persist.