Iran’s FM in Delhi amid India-Pakistan tensions

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Aragchi has arrived in the Indian capital to hold diplomatic talks with senior officials, as tensions continue to simmer between India and Pakistan following recent cross-border hostilities.

A spokesperson for India’s Ministry of External Affairs described the visit as “an opportunity to review and enhance bilateral cooperation on the 75th anniversary of the India-Iran Friendship Treaty”.

The two countries have long maintained diplomatic and economic ties, particularly in energy and regional connectivity.

Aragchi’s visit to Delhi follows his stopover in Islamabad just a day before India carried out a series of airstrikes across the Line of Control (LoC) in Pakistan and Pakistan-administered Kashmir.

While in Pakistan, the Iranian envoy held talks with his counterpart, Finance Minister Ishaq Dar, as part of Iran’s ongoing diplomatic outreach in the region.

In recent weeks, Iran has offered to mediate between India and Pakistan in a bid to ease tensions and prevent further escalation. Tehran has expressed concern over rising instability in South Asia, a region in which it has both strategic and economic interests.

Neither New Delhi nor Islamabad has officially responded to the offer of mediation, though both sides continue to engage with Iran at various diplomatic levels.

Aragchi’s back-to-back visits to the two nuclear-armed neighbours underscore Iran’s attempt to play a stabilising role amid a volatile geopolitical climate. Analysts say Iran’s engagement may also be aimed at bolstering its regional influence and maintaining strategic balance, reports UNB.