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West Asia: From Conflict to Ceasefire

  By Dr. Somita Chakraborty After a short-term useless display of military might from both side, Iran and the US and its allies, mainly Israel, suddenly settled for a two-week ceasefire. Iran also agreed to allow ships through the Strait of Hormuz . Negotiated by Pakistan, the ceasefire is based on two different claims. Iran issued a 10-point claims, which includes, among other things, complete cessation of war in Iran, Iraq, Lebanon and Yemen, asked for full commitment to lift sanctions on Iran, release of Iranian funds and frozen assets held by the US, and full payment of compensation for reconstruction costs to Iran. Israel already denied extension of ceasefire in Lebanon. Moreover, US President Donald Trump said, US will put 50% tariff on those countries who supplied weapons to Iran and export goods to the USA. Amid UN Security Council discussion on the West Asia crisis, Pakistan invited US-Iran delegations to Islamabad to settle the dispute. India, in a statement,...
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India’s Position on Uninterrupted Flow of Shipment through the Strait of Hormuz

  By Dr. Somita Chakraborty On 2 nd April, 2026, Foreign Secretary participated in a meeting hosted by UK on the situation in West Asia. More than sixty countries participated in the meeting. In his speech, Foreign Secretary emphasized the importance of maintaining the principles of freedom of navigation and unimpeded transit through international waterways. Noting the impact of West Asia crisis on India’s energy security, Indian Foreign Secretary stated that India is the only country, which have lost mariners in attacks on merchant shipping in the Gulf. Foreign Secretary represented India at a meeting convened by the UK Foreign Secretary on the situation in West Asia, where more than 60 countries participated. In his speech, Mr. Foreign Secretary of India noted the importance of the principles of freedom of navigation and unimpeded transit through international waterways. He noted the impact of the West Asia crisis on India’s energy security. Moreover, he also emphasiz...
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Parliamentary Discussion on Approaches to Reduce Impact of Various Global Crises on India

  By Dr. Somita Chakraborty Considering the ongoing West Asia crisis and several other problems going on in different parts of the world, various Honorable Members of Parliament expressed their concern regarding the problems and its impact on India. On 27 th March, 2026, Dr. Kirsan Namdeo expressed his concern in Lok Sabha regarding impact of different conflict zone on India. his question included Russia-Ukraine war, conflict in West Asia and sanctions imposed by Western countries and their impact on India. He also asked to know, how India is securing its energy interest amid global crisis situation. He also asked about India’s position on US sanction on petroleum import from Russia and Iran. He also enquired about the last year data on measures taken by the Government of India to ensure safety and repatriation of Indian nationals from conflict zones. On the same day, Honorable Member of Parliament Shri Rajkumar Roat expressed his concern regarding emergency evacuation...
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Parliamentary Discussion on India’s Approach towards various issues related to Bangladesh

  By Dr. Somita Chakraborty In the recent Parliamentary discussion, a number of Honorable Members of Parliament raised various issues related to Bangladesh, those are directly connected with probabilities of long-term strong India-Bangladesh relations. On 12 th March, 2026, Honorable MP of Rajya Sabha Dr. Vikramjit Singh Sahney and Shri Shaktisinh Gohil expressed their concern that whether Government of India is aware of violence, mob attacks on homes, temples and businesses, lynching and killings of Hindu and other religious minorities in Bangladesh. They also asked specific numbers of attacks and diplomatic engagements with Bangladesh to address the issue of protection of minorities. They also asked that whether Government of India has raised the issue at bilateral platforms or at different international fora. They also asked about outcomes of such engagements. The MPs also expressed their concern regarding consular support or assistance mechanisms in place for affecte...
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Amid West Asia Crisis India supplied fuel to Bangladesh

  By Dr. Somita Chakraborty On 10 th March, 2026, officials of Bangladesh Petroleum Corporation (BPC) had confirmed that India had been started supplying 5000 metric tonnes of diesel to energy scarce Bangladesh to maintain stable fuel supplies in Bangladesh amid West Asia crisis . The Bangladeshi officials confirmed that the fuel reach Bangladesh through Bangladesh-India Friendship Pipeline from Numaligarh Refinery Limited in Assam. In the year 2023, India and Bangladesh inaugurated the 131-km. long cross-border pipeline, which connects the Siliguri Marketing Terminal (India) with Parbatipur depot (Bangladesh). The pipeline ensures faster and more cost-effective fuel transportation than the previous fuel transportation by rail wagons. The most important part of this confirmation is timing. The recent West Asia crisis, closure of Straight of Hurmuz, disruption of flow of shipment and following world wide energy crisis compelled the whole world to rethink supporting neighbor...
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EAM Dr. Jaishankar’s Visit to Brussels – A Report

By Dr. Somita Chakraborty At the invitation High Representative and Vice President (HRVP) of European Union (EU) Ms Kaja Kallas, EAM Dr. S. Jaishankar paid a two days (15 th and 16 th March) official visit to Brussels, Belgium. It reflects India’s growing and constant high-level engagement with EU. Just one and half months ago, EU leaders visited India as Guests of Honour for India’s 77 th Republic Day celebrations.    During his visit, Dr. Jaishankar met with President of the European Council, Mr. Antonio Costa and President of the European Commission Ms. Ursula von der Leyen. Dr. Jaishankar conveyed the warm greetings of President Draupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Modi to the EU leaders. They discussed various issues related to India-EU relations, including identifying priorities in the joint India-EU Comprehensive Strategic Agenda, early signing of the landmark India-EU Free Trade Agreement as well as situations in West Asia, Ukraine and the Indo-Pacific. EAM Dr....
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MEA Took Diverse Moves to Handle Crises Evolving Due to Recent West Asia Conflict

  By Dr. Somita Chakraborty Considering on going conflict in West Asia, MEA took diverse approaches to response inevitable implications of the situation. In a Suo Motu statement in the Parliament of India (both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha) EAM Dr. S. Jaishankar briefed the situation. He informed the Parliament that the conflict already caused numerous casualties, including at the leadership level in Iran. The conflict, which started on 28 th February, 2026, already caused severe destruction of infrastructure in the region. He noted that normal life and economic activities in the entire region were not only visibly affected but also, in some cases, have come to a halt. Dr. Jaishankar informed the Parliament that the fighting is going on mainly between Israel and United States in one side and Iran on the other side, though several other Gulf States already confronted attacks. He also stated that Government of India believe that conflicting countries should pursue dialogue and ...
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