India Welcomes US-Iran Ceasefire, Calls for Dialogue and Stability in West Asia

New Delhi, April 2026: India on Wednesday welcomed the ceasefire agreement reached between the United States and Iran, expressing hope that the development would pave the way for lasting peace and stability in West Asia.

In an official statement, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) reiterated India’s consistent position that dialogue and diplomacy remain the only viable means to resolve conflicts. The ministry stressed that sustained engagement between the parties is essential to bring an early end to hostilities and prevent further escalation in the region.

“We welcome the ceasefire reached and hope that it will lead to a lasting peace in West Asia. As we have continuously advocated earlier, de-escalation, dialogue and diplomacy are essential to bring an early end to the ongoing conflict,” the MEA said.

Highlighting the broader implications of the conflict, the ministry noted that the situation has already caused significant human suffering and disrupted global energy supply chains and trade networks. Given India’s dependence on energy imports and its economic ties to the region, stability in West Asia remains a key concern.

“The conflict has already caused immense suffering to people and disrupted global energy supply and trade networks. We expect that unimpeded freedom of navigation and global flow of commerce would prevail through the Strait of Hormuz,” the statement added.

The MEA’s response comes in the wake of an announcement by US President Donald Trump, who declared a conditional two-week pause in planned military strikes against Iran. The pause is tied to the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, a crucial maritime route through which a substantial portion of the world’s oil supply is transported.

The decision was taken just 90 minutes before a self-imposed 8 PM EST deadline set by Trump for Iran to respond, following intensive backchannel diplomatic efforts. The announcement has been widely viewed as a significant step toward de-escalation, offering a window for negotiations and reducing immediate fears of a broader regional conflict.

In a post on Truth Social, Trump said he would “suspend” further escalation for two weeks if Iran ensured the reopening of the key shipping route. He added that the United States had already achieved its primary military objectives and was close to reaching a broader agreement with Tehran.

“The reason for doing so is that we have already met and exceeded all military objectives and are very far along with a definitive agreement concerning long-term peace,” Trump said, noting that a “10-point proposal” from Iran had provided a workable basis for negotiations.

The ceasefire, however, remains conditional. Trump emphasised that it depends on Iran agreeing to the “complete, immediate, and safe” reopening of the Strait of Hormuz.

Iran has indicated tentative acceptance of the arrangement. Its Foreign Minister, Seyed Abbas Araghchi, stated that Tehran would halt its defensive operations if attacks against the country cease.

“If attacks against Iran are halted, our armed forces will cease their defensive operations,” Araghchi said. He also assured that safe passage through the Strait would be maintained for the two-week period through coordination with Iranian forces.

As global attention remains focused on the fragile ceasefire, India’s call for diplomacy underscores the importance of sustained international efforts to ensure peace, stability, and the uninterrupted flow of global trade.