Jaishankar to visit Iran on Monday as Red Sea Conflict escalates

NEW DELHI : External Affairs Minister Shri S Jaishankar is set to visit Iran on Monday amid growing concerns over escalation of tensions in West Asia.

The visit follows the US-UK forces’ attack on Houthi military positions and Jaishankar’s discussion with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken.

It is understood that during his visit, Jaishankar will meet his counterpart Hossein Amir-Abdollahain and will also call on Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi.

The talks are expected to be constructive as India is concerned both over the deteriorating humanitarian situation in Gaza as well as Houthi attacks on commercial ships like MV Chem Pluto, off the Indian coast. It is no secret that Iran wields huge influence over Houthis. India has deployed warships in the region amid the growing incidents of attacks and piracy.

Jaishankar’s trip to Iran comes ahead of his visit to Uganda for the NAM Summit. The discussions in Tehran may cover the North-South Trade Corridor, Chabahar Port, security in the Caucasus related to the Azerbaijan-Armenian conflict and India’s support for a two-state solution to the Israel-Palestine conflict.

Iran remains central to India’s connectivity to Central Asia, Russia and Afghanistan. Jaishankar’s recent trip to Moscow among other issues focused on expediting various branches of INSTC.