Iran's Araghchi in Delhi for BRICS talks on Hormuz safe passage

New Delhi and Tehran likely to discuss securing Indian vessels through Strait of Hormuz as tensions rise in West Asia

Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi arrived in New Delhi on Wednesday evening, touching down just ahead of the two-day BRICS Foreign Ministers' Meeting that begins on May 14. His delegation was received by ministry officials at the airport, and he is scheduled to meet External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar on the margins of the summit.

The visit, Araghchi's first to India since the escalation of hostilities involving Iran, the United States, and Israel earlier this year, comes at a critical moment for energy security in the region.

Strait of Hormuz in focus

Top of the agenda during bilateral talks is the safe passage of Indian-flagged vessels through the Strait of Hormuz. The narrow waterway, which handles roughly a fifth of global oil consumption, has become a flashpoint in recent weeks.

Officials familiar with the matter say Jaishankar is expected to raise specific concerns about the movement of oil tankers and commercial ships transiting between the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman. Any disruption at Hormuz directly impacts India's crude imports, nearly 80 per cent of which come from Gulf suppliers.

40-50 vessels stranded

Initial reports indicate that between 40 and 50 India-bound ships remain stuck west of the Strait, waiting for clear passage. The backlog has built up over the past fortnight as tensions spiked following recent naval deployments in the area.

Local authorities in Mumbai and Gujarat ports have been monitoring the situation closely. According to shipping industry sources, some vessels have been rerouted, but the delays are already affecting delivery timelines and freight costs.

First visit since escalation

Araghchi and Jaishankar have spoken multiple times over the phone in recent months, focusing on regional developments and the safety of Indian nationals. But this face-to-face meeting carries added weight.

"The timing is significant. Both sides understand that diplomatic channels need to stay open, especially when military rhetoric is high," a person aware of the preparations said, requesting anonymity.

The Iranian minister's itinerary also includes interactions with other BRICS counterparts, but the bilateral with Jaishankar remains the most closely watched.

India's BRICS presidency

New Delhi assumed the chairmanship of the expanded BRICS grouping on January 1, taking over from Brazil. This is India's fourth time leading the bloc, having previously hosted summits in 2012, 2016, and 2021.

The theme for India's 2026 presidency—"Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability"—reflects a people-centric approach that Prime Minister Narendra Modi outlined at the 2025 BRICS Summit in Rio de Janeiro.

The bloc now includes 11 members: Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, Iran, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Egypt, Ethiopia, and Indonesia.

Lavrov to attend

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov will also participate in the Delhi gathering, according to a statement from Moscow. Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova confirmed that discussions would cover global governance, major international issues, and preparations for the 18th BRICS Summit scheduled for September in New Delhi.

Lavrov's presence adds another layer to the diplomacy, given Russia's own interests in West Asian stability and energy markets.

Strategic significance beyond Hormuz

While safe passage through the Strait is the immediate priority, Araghchi's visit is expected to reinforce broader cooperation. The development of Iran's Chabahar Port, which India has been investing in as an alternative trade route to Afghanistan and Central Asia, remains a key pillar of bilateral ties.

Energy connectivity and regional diplomacy are also on the long-term agenda. For now, though, all eyes are on whether the two sides can secure a workable arrangement to keep Indian ships moving through one of the world's most contested waterways.

The air in New Delhi’s Hyderabad House this week was thick with more than the usual diplomatic pleasantries. During a meeting with Poland’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Radosław Sikorski, India’s External Affairs Minister, Dr. S. Jaishankar, delivered a public rebuke so direct it reverberated across foreign ministries. He stated that Poland, and by extension other partners, must display "zero tolerance for terrorism" and should not help "fuel the terrorist infrastructure in our neighbourhood". This wasn't a private aside; it was a televised statement, marking a stark departure from the normally guarded language of high-level diplomacy and signaling India's growing confidence in defining the terms of its strategic relationships.

The immediate provocation was clear. Minister Jaishankar pointedly referred to Mr. Sikorski’s "recent travels to the region," a direct reference to the Polish leader's visit to Pakistan in October 2025. That visit, which included meetings with Pakistan's top leadership and a joint statement, occurred just months after a military clash between India and Pakistan in May 2025, and was viewed in New Delhi as ill-timed at best, and legitimizing at worst.

A Clash of Perspectives and "Selective Targeting"

The meeting highlighted a fundamental divergence in how the two nations view their engagement with contentious regional players. The table below summarises the core disagreements aired publicly:

| India's Stance (via EAM Jaishankar) | Poland's Stance (via FM Sikorski) |

| Partners must not "fuel terrorist infrastructure" near India. | All nations have "regional concerns" and "challenges" with neighbours. |

| Criticised the EU's "selective targeting" of India over Russian oil imports. | Called India's participation in joint military drills with Russia "threatening". |

| Implied that engagement with Pakistan cannot be separated from terrorism concerns. | Argued that on terrorism, India and Poland are of "one mind". |

Jaishankar’s frustration extended beyond Pakistan. He sharply countered Sikorski’s recent public comments praising India for reducing Russian oil imports, calling the European Union’s criticism "selective targeting" that is "both unfair and unjustified". This refers to EU sanctions on Indian companies for dealing in Russian oil, which India sees as an unfair penalty for its independent energy security decisions.

In response, Sikorski acknowledged the conversation was "frank" and, while agreeing on terrorism, flipped the script by expressing alarm over India's strategic partnership with Russia, specifically its participation in the "Zapad-2025" military exercises.

The High-Stakes Backdrop: A Historic Trade Deal Looms

This diplomatic spat is particularly striking because it occurs on the eve of a monumental breakthrough. On January 27, just days after this tense meeting, India and the European Union are set to announce the conclusion of negotiations for a landmark Free Trade Agreement (FTA), described by Indian officials as the "mother of all trade deals".

The agreement, culminating nearly two decades of talks, aims to link two of the world's largest democratic economies at a time of rising global protectionism. Poland itself has been a vocal proponent of swiftly signing this deal, with Sikorski recently stating it is "very important" to do so quickly. This context makes Jaishankar’s bluntness even more significant: it underscores that for New Delhi, core security concerns are non-negotiable, even when massive economic incentives are on the line.

Opinion: More Than a Spat – A Declaration of Strategic Autonomy

This was not merely a diplomatic disagreement; it was a deliberate and public articulation of India's foreign policy doctrine under Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Jaishankar’s message serves multiple strategic purposes:

1.  Establishing Red Lines: By calling out a European partner publicly, India is signaling that its sensitivity regarding terrorism emanating from Pakistan is an absolute priority. It warns all nations that engagement with Pakistan, without acknowledging or addressing India’s terror concerns, will have diplomatic costs.

2.  Challenging Western Hypocrisy: The coupling of the "terrorism" warning with the complaint about "selective targeting" on Russia is masterful. It challenges what India perceives as a Western double standard: Europe can engage with Pakistan (which India views as a terror sponsor) while chastising India for its pragmatic energy ties with Russia (a historical partner). Jaishankar’s stance insists that partnerships must be holistic and respect each other's core interests.

3.  Asserting Sovereign Agency: The timing, right before the EU summit, is a powerful assertion of India's confidence. It demonstrates that New Delhi will not mute its security concerns for the sake of a trade deal. India is entering this partnership as an equal, on its own terms.

The path forward is complex. The EU-India FTA promises immense benefits, potentially boosting two-way trade that already exceeds $130 billion and strengthening supply chain resilience for both sides. However, as this episode reveals, the strategic partnership will require Europe to engage with a more assertive India that demands its geopolitical realities be understood and respected.

Jaishankar’s blunt words in Hyderabad House were not a threat to derail the new partnership with Europe, but a clear-eyed foundation for it. They announced that India's era of quiet diplomacy on core security issues is over. The message to Poland, and to the world, is that true partnership requires seeing the world through your ally's eyes—not just your own.

Dhaka Pays Last Tribute to Khaleda Zia

Bangladesh today witnessed an emotional farewell to its first woman Prime Minister and Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) chief, Begum Khaleda Zia, who passed away on Tuesday at the age of 80. Her mortal remains were laid to rest beside her husband, former President Ziaur Rahman, at the National Parliament Complex in Dhaka’s Manik Mia Avenue.

The day began with thousands of supporters, party loyalists, and political dignitaries gathering in the capital to pay their final respects. Amid tight security arrangements, the national flag flew at half-mast on all government buildings as the nation observed the first of three days of state mourning.

Jaishankar Represents India at State Funeral

Representing India, External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar arrived in Dhaka on Wednesday morning to attend the funeral. He handed over a condolence message from Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Khaleda Zia’s son and BNP acting chairman Tarique Rahman, expressing India’s solidarity with the people of Bangladesh in their time of loss.

While addressing Bangladeshi media, Jaishankar said, “Khaleda Zia’s leadership, courage, and her contribution to Bangladesh’s democracy will be remembered for generations. Her vision and values will continue to guide regional cooperation and development.”

Apart from India, senior officials from Pakistan, Nepal, and Bhutan also attended the state funeral, highlighting Zia’s stature as a key political figure in South Asian politics.

A Nation in Mourning

Thousands of mourners poured onto Manik Mia Avenue, turning the funeral into a moment of unity amid political divides. The funeral prayers (janaza) were led by the Khatib of Baitul Mukarram National Mosque, while BNP Standing Committee member Nazrul Islam Khan oversaw the proceedings.

Dignitaries including Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus, Bangladesh’s Chief Justice Zubayer Rahman Chowdhury, and senior officials of the interim government were also in attendance.
Many supporters, carrying flowers and banners with her image, chanted slogans of grief and remembrance as the funeral convoy made its way from Evercare Hospital to the Parliament Complex.

Political Legacy and Contributions

Khaleda Zia served as the Prime Minister of Bangladesh twice—from 1991 to 1996 and again from 2001 to 2006—leaving behind a significant legacy in governance and economic reforms. She led the country’s transition to a parliamentary democracy after years of military rule and worked to strengthen the identity of Bangladesh as an independent nation.

During her tenure, she introduced major economic reforms, including trade liberalization, tax reforms, and efforts to expand women’s participation in the workforce. Despite years of political controversies and health struggles, Khaleda Zia remained a symbol of resilience in Bangladeshi politics.

Final Rest Beside Her Husband

As per family wishes, Khaleda Zia was buried beside her husband Ziaur Rahman, a national hero and founder of the BNP. Her final journey from Gulshan to Manik Mia Avenue drew an outpouring of emotions across the country.

With her passing, Bangladesh bids farewell to one of its most influential and polarizing leaders, marking the end of an era in the nation’s political history.