India on Wednesday welcomed the ceasefire between the United States and Iran, expressing hope that it would ease tensions in West Asia, even as it urged its citizens in Iran to leave the country without delay.
The response reflects New Delhi’s dual approach. While it supports diplomatic efforts to calm the situation, it remains cautious about ground realities after days of conflict that have impacted civilians and disrupted global trade and energy routes.
The Ministry of External Affairs said it expects the pause in hostilities to open the door for a more durable peace. “We welcome the ceasefire reached and hope that it will lead to a lasting peace in West Asia,” the ministry said in a statement. It added that dialogue and diplomacy remain key to ending the conflict, which has already caused “immense suffering” and affected energy supply chains and trade networks.
“As we have continuously advocated earlier, de-escalation, dialogue and diplomacy are essential to bring an early end to the ongoing conflict. The conflict has already caused immense suffering to people and disrupted global energy supply and trade networks.”
India also underlined the importance of keeping shipping lanes open, particularly through the Strait of Hormuz, a vital route for global oil movement. It said uninterrupted navigation and smooth flow of commerce must continue.
“We expect that unimpeded freedom of navigation and global flow of commerce would prevail through the Strait of Hormuz.”
Statement on the recent development in West Asia ⬇️
🔗 https://t.co/WwFCi4kXHg pic.twitter.com/wmsF4YUb7j
— Randhir Jaiswal (@MEAIndia) April 8, 2026
Embassy issues fresh advisory despite ceasefire
Even as the ceasefire was announced, India’s embassy in Tehran issued a fresh advisory asking nationals to leave Iran at the earliest. The mission urged people to follow routes suggested by the embassy and avoid heading to land borders without prior coordination.
“In continuation of the advisory of 07 April 2026, and in light of recent developments, Indian nationals still in Iran are strongly advised to expeditiously exit Iran, in coordination with the Embassy and using the routes suggested by the Embassy.”
⚠️ Advisory as on 08 April 2026. pic.twitter.com/pusFQIAKKI
— India in Iran (@India_in_Iran) April 8, 2026
The advisory comes amid concerns that the situation on the ground may remain uncertain despite the temporary pause in hostilities.
The latest developments follow a major shift in Washington’s stance. US President Donald Trump said he would halt planned attacks on Iran for two weeks, calling it a “double-sided ceasefire” linked to reopening the Strait of Hormuz.
In a post on Truth Social, Trump said the decision came after discussions involving Pakistan’s leadership, including Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Field Marshal Asim Munir. He said the pause would allow space to work towards a long-term agreement.
“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 with Iran,” Trump said, adding that a 10-point proposal from Iran offered a workable basis for talks.
Iran has signalled a conditional acceptance. Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi said Tehran would stop military operations if attacks on the country cease. He also confirmed that safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz would be allowed for two weeks, subject to coordination.
Talks between the two sides are expected soon, with Iran’s delegation led by Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf and the US side represented by Vice-President JD Vance set to meet in Islamabad on Friday.