Diplomacy and Global Politics

  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,...

  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...