US-Iran peace deal welcomed by India, with support for West Asia stability

India welcomed the peace agreement between the United States and Iran on Thursday. New Delhi said it stayed in close contact with partner countries in West Asia. India also said it was prepared to help with next steps. The government said the aim was lasting peace and stability across the region.

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Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri told reporters that India backed dialogue and diplomacy throughout the conflict. Misri said India expected the US-Iran understanding to support long-term calm. Misri also said India had engaged with key parties linked to the crisis. The government, Misri said, stayed alert to shifts affecting regional security.

US-Iran peace deal and India response

US President Donald Trump and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian signed a peace Memorandum of Understanding. The MOU called for an immediate halt to all military operations. It also provided for reopening the Strait of Hormuz. The understanding included lifting the US naval blockade on Iranian ports.

Misri said India had already spoken to most protagonists involved in the conflict. "We remain in very close touch with all of those partners, and well be ready to do whatever it is, whatever it is possible for us to do, in so far as addressing the next steps,\" he said. Misri added that India welcomed the recent developments.

Misri said India hoped to see a rapid return to peace and stability in West Asia. The foreign secretary said New Delhi expected the deal to support sustained peace. Misri repeated that India had long urged talks to resolve such disputes. \"India has always advocated the path of dialogue and diplomacy to settle conflicts such as these. We have always also expressed our readiness to contribute in any manner that we can,\" he said.

West Asia situation and PM Modi talks

Misri said the West Asia situation featured strongly in Prime Minister Narendra Modis outreach meetings at the G7. Misri said the issue also came up in Modis bilateral talks with several world leaders. Modi, Misri added, expressed Indias wish for sustained peace and security in West Asia.

Strait of Hormuz and freedom of navigation

Misri said India kept stressing freedom of navigation and unimpeded commerce in regional waterways. Misri said Modi highlighted the safety and security of seafarers. Misri noted that hundreds of thousands of Indian seafarers served on maritime platforms. Misri said this supported global maritime trade and needed shared global attention.

Misri said Modi raised seafarer safety both at G7 outreach sessions and in bilateral meetings. Misri said India maintained strong relationships with countries across the region. \"We have very strong relationships with all of the countries in the region,\" he said. Misri said India expected the agreement to help restore stability in West Asia.

With inputs from PTI