Parrying the questions raised by the Opposition regarding the reported central role played by Pakistan in mediating between the U.S. and Iran, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar on Wednesday termed the neighbouring country a “dalal” and said that it had been playing this role since 1981.
He was addressing an all-party meeting chaired by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on the recent developments in West Asia and their impact on India. Union Petroleum Minister Hardeep Puri also assured the gathering that India continued to maintain a strategic petroleum reserve of 74 days. While the country was not facing any imminent energy crisis, he noted that the supply cycle for Liquified Petroleum Gas (LPG) had extended from 20 days to 45 days. This, he said, should stabilise soon.
Responding to criticism over India’s “silence”, Mr. Jaishankar asserted that with nearly one crore Indians living in West Asian countries, it was crucial for India’s strategic and economic interests to maintain a balanced position. India, he said, remained in a unique position, able to communicate with all sides.
Iran-Israel war updates on March 25, 2026
Citing Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent talks with Iranian authorities, he said two Indian ships had been allowed to sail through the Strait of Hormuz, while 18 others still in the region would soon set sail for Indian shores. He said that the U.S. continued to be India’s biggest trading partner, while Israel was a key technological partner.
