Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi on Friday said India can play a “greater role” in diplomacy aimed at restoring peace and security in West Asia, citing New Delhi’s friendly ties with almost every country in the region amid the ongoing Iran-US deadlock.
Araghchi made the remarks after meetings with National Security Adviser Ajit Doval and External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar on the sidelines of the BRICS Foreign Ministers’ Meeting.
“I think India, with its good reputation, can play a greater role in this region, to help diplomacy, to help peace and to promote peace and security,” Araghchi said at a press conference in New Delhi.
He noted that India maintains strong ties with countries across both sides of the Persian Gulf, adding that Tehran would welcome any “positive, constructive role” played by New Delhi in efforts to end the conflict that erupted after US-Israeli strikes on Iran on February 28.
Iran flags differences within BRICS
Araghchi also said disagreements within BRICS had prevented consensus on a joint statement at the foreign ministers’ meeting, indirectly pointing to the United Arab Emirates over its stance on the West Asia conflict.
At the same time, he stressed that Iran respects India’s independent foreign policy choices and values its historic relationship with Tehran.
“What matters for us is the good relations which exist between us and India and it is rooted in history,” he said.
Strait of Hormuz situation ‘very complicated’
The Iranian minister acknowledged that the Strait of Hormuz — a key route for nearly half of India’s oil imports — figured prominently in his discussions with Jaishankar.
He described the situation in the strategic waterway as “very complicated” and said Iran was trying to ensure the safe movement of merchant ships.
“Everything would go back to normal once the act of aggression is totally and completely ended,” Araghchi said, adding that only vessels belonging to countries involved in the war or supporting the US and Israel would face restrictions.
He also insisted that any future arrangement governing the Strait of Hormuz would be decided solely by Iran and Oman.
Iran ready to resume oil exports to India
Araghchi said Tehran remains willing to resume oil exports to India once US sanctions are lifted.
“We are ready to sell our oil to India,” he said, while noting that New Delhi had stopped purchases because of “illegal and unilateral” American sanctions.
He added that bilateral trade, once worth more than $20 billion annually, had shrunk significantly because of sanctions but could quickly recover.
Chabahar port remains strategically important
The Iranian foreign minister also urged India to continue work on the strategic Chabahar Port project despite renewed US sanctions pressure.
Calling Chabahar a “golden gate” connecting India to Central Asia, the Caucasus and Europe, Araghchi said the port remains vital for regional trade and long-term India-Iran cooperation.
Tehran prepared for diplomacy or war
Amid stalled negotiations with Washington, Araghchi said Iran remains prepared for both diplomacy and renewed conflict.
“As a diplomat, I’m optimistic that a diplomatic solution can prevail, but we shouldn’t ignore the possibility of going back to a full-scale war,” he said.
“We are prepared for both scenarios.”
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