Jaishankar, Lavrov speak on Iran; Putin dials UAE President

Diplomatic Outreach Amid West Asia Tensions

The fragile situation in West Asia took a sharper turn on February 28 when joint US-Israel strikes hit Iran, killing high-profile figures including Supreme Leader Syed Ali Khamenei and top commanders. This sparked intense retaliatory drone and missile attacks from Tehran targeting US assets, Israeli positions, and infrastructure in Gulf nations. Over 1,300 lives have been lost in the ensuing chaos, disrupting energy supplies and shipping routes critical to global trade. India, heavily reliant on the region for oil, has ramped up diplomatic efforts to urge restraint and protect its interests. External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar has been at the forefront, engaging multiple world leaders in quick succession to push for dialogue over confrontation.

On Wednesday, Jaishankar spoke at length with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, sharing India's assessments of the conflict and ongoing diplomatic initiatives. The conversation highlighted mutual concerns over the rapid escalation and its ripple effects on regional stability. Both sides stressed the urgency of normalizing the situation to prevent further humanitarian and economic fallout. Lavrov, speaking separately with his Iranian counterpart Seyed Abbas Araghchi, condemned the US and Israeli actions as aggressive violations and offered Moscow's mediation to bolster security. These talks underscore a coordinated push by key players to contain the fire before it engulfs broader alliances.

Jaishankar-Lavrov Call Focuses on De-escalation and Multilateral Roles

In their telephonic exchange, Jaishankar and Lavrov delved into the Iran-centric crisis, advocating for swift steps toward stability. They placed strong emphasis on the roles of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) and BRICS in mediating tensions. As platforms uniting major emerging economies, including Iran itself, these groups could foster balanced solutions respecting all parties' interests. Jaishankar posted on social media about sharing India's perspectives on the West Asia conflict and reviewing bilateral cooperation with Russia. This includes upcoming political contacts and collaboration agendas that remain vital despite the turmoil. The Russian Foreign Ministry echoed this, noting the ministers' call for de-escalation efforts grounded in legitimate concerns.

We shared our assessments on the West Asia conflict and related diplomatic efforts. Also took stock of our bilateral cooperation agenda, emphasizing the need for prompt normalisation through SCO and BRICS contributions to create conditions for a sustainable settlement.

Jaishankar's outreach extends beyond Russia. He has held detailed conversations with Iran's Araghchi—three in recent days—covering safety of shipping lanes like the Strait of Hormuz, energy security, and attacks on civilian sites, including a tragic missile strike on a girls' school in Minab. Discussions with EU's Kaja Kallas, Germany's Johann Wadephul, and counterparts from Italy and Oman reflect India's balanced diplomacy. New Delhi has also granted docking permissions to Iranian vessels, such as IRIS Lavan at Kochi port, sheltering its crew amid the hostilities. This proactive stance prioritizes Indian nationals' safety and uninterrupted energy flows.

Putin's Call to UAE Signals Broader Regional Engagement

As Jaishankar and Lavrov conferred, Russian President Vladimir Putin dialed UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, spotlighting Moscow's high-level involvement in Gulf diplomacy. The UAE, a key energy hub and host to US bases hit by Iranian retaliation, faces damaged civilian and oil infrastructure. Putin's outreach likely aimed to align strategies for crisis management, given Russia's ties with both Iran and Gulf states. This move comes amid Tehran's vows to defend its sovereignty and calls for UN Security Council action against aggressors. Lavrov's parallel talk with Araghchi reinforced Russia's condemnation of the strikes and readiness to mediate. Together, these interactions paint a picture of intensified shuttle diplomacy to avert a wider war.

India's consistent messaging—de-escalation, restraint, dialogue—resonates across these engagements. With shipping disruptions threatening global supply chains and energy prices spiking, the stakes are enormous. Jaishankar's suo motu statement in Parliament detailed aid to stranded Iranian ships, signaling New Delhi's humanitarian commitment without picking sides. As tensions simmer into their second week, these conversations offer glimmers of hope for multilateral intervention.

The Jaishankar-Lavrov dialogue, Putin's UAE call, and allied talks highlight urgent global efforts to normalize the Iran crisis through SCO, BRICS, and bilateral channels, prioritizing de-escalation and energy security amid West Asia's volatile standoff.