S Jaishankar To Travel To UAE This Week, 1st Visit Amid Iran War
Details of the Visit
External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar will be visiting the United Arab Emirates (UAE) this week. This marks the first official trip by an Indian minister since the onset of the ongoing conflict involving Iran. According to sources, the visit is scheduled between April 9 and April 12, during which Jaishankar will also stop in Mauritius to participate in the Indian Ocean Conference (IOC). Following the conference, he will continue to the UAE, with energy security highlighted as a primary topic on the agenda.
The announcement of Jaishankar’s travels coincides with a significant development in the region. The United States and Iran have reached an agreement for a two-week ceasefire, which President Donald Trump describes as based on 10 conditions put forth by Tehran. This ceasefire has been welcomed by India, which expressed hope that it would pave the way for lasting peace in the Middle East.
India’s Stance on the Conflict
The Indian Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) issued a statement emphasizing the importance of de-escalation, dialogue, and diplomacy in resolving the ongoing conflict. The MEA remarked on the immense suffering faced by civilians and the disruption of global energy supply chains caused by the war. It also underscored the necessity for unimpeded freedom of navigation and the free flow of trade through the Strait of Hormuz.
This escalation of hostilities began on February 28, when the United States and Israel executed coordinated airstrikes across Iran. These actions followed stalled nuclear negotiations and allegations that Iran had resumed its nuclear activities. The operation, dubbed ‘Operation Epic Fury,’ targeted multiple cities in Iran, resulting in the deaths of notable leaders, including Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and several family members.
In response, Iran launched retaliatory strikes affecting several Gulf countries, including Dubai, Kuwait, Abu Dhabi, Qatar, and Bahrain. Following these developments, Iran temporarily closed the strategic Strait of Hormuz to shipping, though they have agreed to reopen it, albeit with a fee for vessels.
Recent Diplomatic Developments
Sergio Gor, the US Ambassador to India, was present for a dinner at the White House hosted by President Trump just prior to the announcement of the ceasefire with Iran. During this meeting, Gor noted that he and Trump discussed the state of US-India relations. He commended the President’s efforts towards achieving global stability and emphasized the strong prospects of future collaboration between India and the United States.
Gor shared his reflections from the dinner on social media, highlighting what he described as an “outstanding” experience. He expressed appreciation for Trump’s commitment to global stability and indicated that significant discussions took place regarding the future trajectory of India-US ties, underscoring the importance of collaboration in addressing shared challenges.
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