<div id="readability-page-1" class="page"><div id="parent_top_div">The government on Friday said it is constantly engaging with the Iranian leadership to ensure the transit of Indian-flagged merchant vessels through the Strait of Hormuz, which would help ease the pressure on liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) supplies in the country. Sources in the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) and Iranian Embassy in New Delhi suggested that a breakthrough was on the anvil. On Friday, one of the 28 Indian-flagged ships in the Strait of Hormuz, Jag Prakash, carrying petrol, was allowed to transit to its destination in one of the African countries. In New Delhi, on the sidelines of commemorating the Al-Quds Day, Iranian Ambassador to India Mohammad Fathali said his country has good relations with the Indian government, and that top officials of the two sides were regularly communicating with each other and “good news” on the issue of Tehran allowing the transit of Indian-flagged ships through the Strait of Hormuz is being worked out. On the issue of Iran giving safe passage to Indian-flagged vessels, Fathali said, “Yes, because India is our friend. You will see it within two or three hours. We believe that Iran and India share common interests in the region.” He added, “This is our suffering and vice versa. For this reason, the Government of India (should) help us and we should help the government of India because we share common faith and common interests”. India receives at least 60 per cent of its LPG and 30 per cent of its crude oil supplies via the Strait of Hormuz. Of India’s 28 merchant vessels stranded in the region, one of the four vessels, Jag Prakash, in the east of the Strait of Hormuz, which was carrying petrol to an African country, sailed to its destination. India is keen to secure safe passage to the remaining 27 merchant vessels currently stationed on either side of the Strait of Hormuz, including 24 stationed west of the crucial sea route. A total of over 600 seafarers are on these 27 vessels, and in total there are 23,000 Indian seafarers currently in the region. On Thursday evening, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had a telephonic conversation with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, his first communication with the top Iranian leadership, and External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar spoke to his Iranian counterpart Seyed Abbas Araghchi, which was their fourth such conversation since February 28. Jaishankar and Araghchi had spoken on February 28, soon after the US and Israel launched the attack on Iran that killed Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. They also spoke on March 5 and March 10. In a social media post, Jaishankar on Friday said that he had another conversation with Araghchi on Thursday night, where the two discussed bilateral matters as also BRICS-related issues. On Thursday, Pezeshkian briefed Modi on the current situation in Iran and shared his perspective on recent developments in the region. The PM expressed deep concern about the evolving security situation in the region and reiterated India’s consistent position that all issues must be resolved through dialogue and diplomacy. According to an Indian readout of the conversation, the PM highlighted India’s priority regarding the safety and well-being of Indian nationals in the region. </div></div>

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The Indian government is in talks with Iran to secure the transit of Indian-flagged merchant vessels through the Strait of Hormuz, crucial for easing LPG supply pressures. Iranian Ambassador Mohammad Fathali indicated positive developments, emphasizing the strong relations between the two nations. One vessel, Jag Prakash, has already been allowed to transit. India relies on this route for 60% of its LPG and 30% of its crude oil. Prime Minister Modi and External Affairs Minister Jaishankar have engaged with Iranian leaders to discuss the situation and ensure the safety of Indian nationals in the region.

In talks with Iran for Indian-flagged merchant vessels' transit: Govt