Indian Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar said on Thursday that unimpeded maritime flows through international waters, including the Strait of Hormuz, are vital for global economic well-being.
Jaishankar was speaking at the start of a two-day meeting of BRICS foreign ministers in New Delhi.
“The conflict in West Asia merits particular attention,” Jaishankar said, referring to the US-Israeli war with Iran, without naming the two countries.
“Safe and unimpeded maritime flows through international waterways, including the Strait of Hormuz and the Red Sea, remain vital for global economic well-being.”
The impact of the war on Iran, including the effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz, has been described as one of the biggest disruptions to energy markets in history.
The disruption has choked tanker traffic and sent energy prices surging, stoking fears of spiralling inflation and a global economic downturn.
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Meanwhile, also speaking during the BRICS meeting on Thursday, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said there is no military solution to issues involving Iran, and Tehran will not surrender to pressure or threats, according to Iranian media.
Araghchi said Iran had twice been subjected within less than a year to “brutal and illegal aggression” by the US and Israel, the Fars News Agency reported.
“In this shameful situation, we are not the aggressors, but rather the wronged and violated party,” he said, calling on BRICS members to challenge violations.
Iran had urged India, the BRICS chair for 2026, to use the BRICS platform to build a consensus condemning US and Israeli actions in the Gulf conflict.
