Strait of Hormuz deadline looms as Jaishankar speaks to Iran’s Araghchi

India wasted no time on the diplomatic front following talks between External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and his Iranian counterpart Abbas Araghchi, who held their conversation Sunday amidst growing tensions at the Strait of Hormuz, alongside fresh threats from the US. According to Jaishankar, he and his Iranian colleague had exchanged views about “the present situation,” while the Iranian embassy stated that their discussion also revolved around bilateral relations and regional affairs.

This phone call occurred under very precarious circumstances. According to President Donald Trump, Iran was given until Tuesday evening of April 7, 2026, to open up the Strait of Hormuz or face military strikes on its vital infrastructure installations. This is because of the reports from Reuters that have made life difficult for nations like India, which are highly vulnerable to Gulf-based energy supply disruptions.

Why the Strait of Hormuz matters for India

For India, the concern is straightforward. The Strait of Hormuz is one of the world’s most important energy chokepoints, and any prolonged closure or disruption can hit crude supplies, shipping costs, and domestic fuel prices. Reports suggest that only a handful of ships have passed through in recent weeks, worsening gas and energy supply concerns. The conflict has also contributed to a major oil supply disruption, with crude prices moving closer to $120 a barrel.

That explains why Delhi has been actively engaging multiple regional players. Along with Araghchi, Jaishankar also spoke to the foreign ministers of the UAE and Qatar as India works to contain the fallout from the wider West Asia crisis. Officials described the outreach as part of efforts to stabilise the situation and reduce the impact of the war on India’s interests.

What Jaishankar-Araghchi talks signal

The meeting itself might not have achieved anything new publicly, but its timing is crucial. From what the diplomatic sources reveal, the discussion included bilateral ties as well as regional and global issues. It must be noted that it is one of the many discussions that both of the foreign ministers have had since the crisis started, and this is proof of India’s keen interest in the matter.

India seems to be following a two-pronged approach: maintaining communications with Tehran while simultaneously reaching out to Gulf cities whose security will be at stake due to missiles, drones, and shipping routes. Oil prices are already volatile, and Delhi does not want to be caught up in a regionwide crisis.

Disclaimer

This article is based on publicly available reporting and official statements available at the time of writing. Developments may change rapidly.