India joins talks to reopen Strait of Hormuz amid energy security concerns: MEA

India will join the meeting of 35 countries to chalk out a plan to reopen the crucial Strait of Hormuz, the blocking of which has resulted in global energy security concerns, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said on Thursday (April 2), adding the UK has invited India to take part in the initiative.

Speaking to reporters, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal further revealed that the meeting is scheduled to be held on Thursday evening and will be attended virtually by Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri.

"The UK side has invited several countries, which also include India, for talks on the Strait of Hormuz. From our side, the foreign secretary is attending the meeting this evening," said Jaiswal.

‘India in touch with regional players’

Elaborating further, the MEA spokesperson said that the Centre was in touch with Iran and other countries to explore ways to ensure safe transit of Indian ships through the contested Strait of Hormuz.

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"We are in touch with Iran and other countries there to see how best we can get unimpeded transit and safe transit for our ships, which are carrying products including LPG, LNG and other products. Through this conversation that we have had over the last several days, we have had six Indian ships which have been able to safely cross the Strait of Hormuz, and we continue to be in touch with relevant parties," added Jaiswal as quoted by NDTV.

Strait closure rattles energy flows

The Strait of Hormuz, a narrow but vital maritime corridor, remains central to global trade as nearly a fifth of the world’s energy supplies move through it.

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The passage has been shut by Iran in the aftermath of strikes carried out by Israel and the US, triggering disruptions that have rippled across energy markets.

Trump signals policy shift

US President Donald Trump, who had repeatedly maintained that reopening the strait was a top priority for Washington, shifted his stance on Wednesday. Trump, in a post on Truth Social, urged American allies to secure their own energy needs, indicating that US support would no longer be assured.

Also Read: Sufficient crude oil supplies for two months: Govt amid West Asia crisis

"All of those countries that can't get jet fuel because of the Strait of Hormuz, like the United Kingdom, which refused to get involved in the decapitation of Iran, I have a suggestion for you: Number 1, buy from the US, we have plenty, and Number 2, build up some delayed courage, go to the Strait, and just TAKE IT," Trump wrote.

"You'll have to start learning how to fight for yourself, the USA won't be there to help you anymore, just like you weren't there for us. Iran has been, essentially, decimated. The hard part is done. Go get your own oil!" he added.

Coalition plans coordinated response

Later in the day, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer said that a group of 35 countries had agreed to coordinate efforts aimed at restoring maritime security in the region. The countries include France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Canada and the UAE.

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"The meeting will assess all viable diplomatic and political measures that we can take to restore freedom of navigation, guarantee the safety of trapped ships and seafarers and resume the movement of vital commodities," Starmer said.

Next steps and follow-up talks

"Following that meeting, we will also convene our military planners to look at how we can marshal our capabilities and make the strait accessible and safe after the fighting has stopped," he added.

The meeting, scheduled for Thursday, will be chaired by UK Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper. According to Reuters, it will be followed by working-level discussions among officials to finalise operational details.