New Delhi: As delegations from the United States and Iran are heading to Pakistan’s capital, Islamabad, for peace talks to turn a fragile two-week ceasefire into a lasting peace deal, the Ministry of External Affairs on Friday said India is closely monitoring developments in West Asia.
MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal stated, “India is closely monitoring developments in West Asia and remains engaged with countries in the region. The External Affairs Minister will visit the United Arab Emirates from April 11 to 12, 2026, to review cooperation and strengthen the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.”
The Islamabad peace talks come just days after Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif announced a two-week ceasefire, saying, “I am pleased to announce that the Islamic Republic of Iran and the United States of America, along with their allies, have agreed to an immediate ceasefire everywhere, including Lebanon and elsewhere, effective immediately.”
“Both parties have displayed remarkable wisdom and understanding and have remained constructively engaged in furthering the cause of peace and stability. We earnestly hope that the ‘Islamabad Talks’ succeed in achieving sustainable peace and wish to share more good news in the coming days,” he added.
The ceasefire announcement was confirmed by both sides – the United States and Iran. U.S. President Donald Trump said, “Based on conversations with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Field Marshal Asim Munir of Pakistan, and their request that I hold off the destructive force being sent tonight to Iran, and subject to Iran agreeing to the complete, immediate, and safe opening of the Strait of Hormuz, I agree to suspend the bombing and attack on Iran for a period of two weeks. This will be a double-sided ceasefire.”
Iranian Foreign Minister Seyyed Abbas Araghchi said, “On behalf of the Islamic Republic of Iran, I thank Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Field Marshal Asim Munir for their efforts to end the conflict. In response to Pakistan’s request and ongoing U.S.-led negotiations, Iran declares that if attacks cease, its armed forces will halt defensive operations. Additionally, safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz will be ensured for two weeks under coordinated arrangements.”
India is closely watching these developments. MEA welcomed the ceasefire, stating, “We welcome the ceasefire reached and hope that it will lead to a lasting peace in West Asia.”
India has consistently pushed for de-escalation, dialogue, and diplomacy to end the conflict. “The conflict has already caused immense suffering and disrupted global energy supply and trade networks. We expect that unimpeded freedom of navigation and global flow of commerce will prevail through the Strait of Hormuz,” the MEA added.
World leaders from the Middle East to Europe – including Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, French President Emmanuel Macron, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, and EU leaders – appreciated Pakistan’s diplomatic efforts in facilitating the ceasefire and resumption of dialogue.
However, India did not mention or thank Pakistan for its mediation role. External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar had earlier stated on March 25, 2026, that India is “not a dalal (broker) nation” like Pakistan, rejecting the role of a mediator in global conflicts. Speaking at an all-party meeting on the West Asia crisis, he emphasised that India follows an independent foreign policy, acting in its own interests rather than as a “fixer” or “middleman.”
BJP national spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla backed the government, stating that India has prioritised peace and stability over claiming credit. He described Pakistan as a “peace broker” but argued that it is acting more as a messenger than a genuine mediator. He told NNP over a phone call that India maintains strong ties with both the United States and Iran and has its own strategic interests in the region.
Opposition parties, however, criticised the BJP for “missteps” in foreign policy that, they argue, allowed Pakistan to take centre stage. They said India was in a better position to act as a trusted intermediary due to its neutral image and strong relations with all sides.
The Indian National Congress welcomed the ceasefire as a vital step towards de-escalation, renewed diplomacy, and constructive dialogue, ultimately leading to lasting peace in West Asia, its Foreign Affairs Department said in a press statement.
“Any meaningful resolution must be anchored in the principles of the Geneva Conventions, the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, the Paris Agreement, and the United Nations Charter, particularly the prohibition on the use of force against the territorial integrity or political independence of any state,” the party added.
Speaking to NNP, NCP (SP) national spokesperson Naseem Siddiqui said “ Our relations with Pakistan are not good, and such remarks can become controversial. But as an Indian citizen and Indian Muslim, I feel that given their current role, awarding them the Nobel Peace Prize would not be an exaggeration”
“Finally, some good news is emerging from West Asia. A full-scale and prolonged conflict has at least been paused for two weeks through mediation efforts by countries like Pakistan, Egypt, Türkiye, and Saudi Arabia,” said Pritam Kumar, a master’s student of International Studies at Jamia Millia Islamia.
“However, it is disappointing to see India largely absent from these diplomatic efforts, especially when it has long-standing ties in the region. Many students like me feel this reflects a gap in India’s foreign policy at a crucial moment, while Pakistan is receiving significant global attention.”
“The impact of the conflict is already visible in our daily lives. At my university, most canteens have remained closed for the past two weeks due to a shortage of commercial LPG cylinders. The few that are open have increased food prices by ₹10, and costs could rise further if the situation continues.”
“We have no option but to return to our village in Bihar,” said Ramesh Kumar, a migrant worker, while speaking to NNP at New Delhi Railway Station. “For the past few days, LPG cylinders have either been unavailable or too expensive. Even domestic gas is difficult to access, making it impossible to cook food for my family.”
“On top of that, daily expenses are rising, food prices have increased, and work has become uncertain. Living in the city has become extremely difficult under these conditions. That’s why I am taking my family back home until the situation improves.”
As the Islamabad talks continue over the weekend, India is maintaining a neutral but firm stance.
For now, the government has also advised Indian citizens still in Iran to leave the country as a precaution while the ceasefire remains fragile.
The outcome of the Islamabad talks could shape not just West Asia but also India’s economy and security for years to come. For millions of Indians, the hope is simple: that the guns fall silent, oil prices stabilise, and the region returns to calm. Whether Pakistan’s mediation leads to a lasting agreement or merely a temporary pause will determine whether that hope becomes reality.
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