Amid rising conflict in the Middle East, India has launched an intense diplomatic effort to safeguard its strategic interests. External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar has held three conversations with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, focusing on the safety of commercial shipping and India’s energy security. The talks come as tensions escalate around the crucial Strait of Hormuz, a vital route for global oil shipments and Indian energy imports. According to Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal, India is also coordinating closely with Gulf countries to protect the welfare of the large Indian diaspora in the region. Around 9,000 Indians remain in Iran, and authorities have already assisted several citizens to travel via Azerbaijan and Armenia to catch flights back home. The government says it continues to monitor the situation closely.