The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Thursday informed that ten Indian ships have safely crossed the Strait of Hormuz in the last few weeks while 14 Indian vessels are still present in the Persian Gulf.
Addressing his weekly media briefing in New Delhi, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said, “Ten Indian Vessels have exited the Strait of Hormuz safely in the last few weeks, while 14 Indian ships are still in the Persian Gulf.”
In response to another media query on the West Asia situation, Jaiswal said as far as West Asia is concerned, India’s policy regarding the ongoing situation is very clear, “India has always been in favour of peace”. “Any step that is being taken, or will be taken, towards peace initiatives has our support. We have consistently maintained that any issue, conflict, or difference should be resolved through dialogue and diplomacy. This remains our position, and this is India’s stance at present,” the MEA spokesperson added.
During the briefing, the MEA spokesperson also mentioned that India and the US are engaged in the ongoing discussions to finalise a comprehensive trade agreement aimed at benefiting both countries. “A team from India went to Washington DC for negotiations on the bilateral trade agreement. These engagements are ongoing and constructive. Both sides are working towards a balanced, mutually beneficial and forward-looking trade agreement, taking into account each other’s concerns and priorities, and to reach a trade target of US $500 billion by 2030,” he said.
India has also welcomed Japan’s decision to review its long-standing framework governing the transfer of defence equipment and technology, describing it as a positive step that could further strengthen bilateral security cooperation. The MEA spokesperson said, “India welcomes Japan’s review of the three principles on the transfer of defence equipment and technology. Defence and security cooperation form an important pillar of the India-Japan special strategic and global partnership.”
He emphasised that both India and Japan have consistently worked to deepen collaboration under their shared strategic vision.
“As part of the Joint Declaration on security cooperation between India and Japan, both sides have committed to increasing practical cooperation in the interest of their national security and continuing economic dynamism,” he added.
He further highlighted that the evolving framework would support enhanced technological and industrial collaboration, including between government entities and private sector stakeholders, particularly in sectors critical to national security and resilience. “This includes promotion and facilitation of technological and industrial collaboration between the government entities and private sector stakeholders for resilience in sectors critical to national security,” Jaiswal said.
The remarks come after Japan, on April 21, announced amendments to its “Three Principles on Transfer of Defense Equipment and Technology” and the associated implementation guidelines.