India Welcomes US-Iran Ceasefire, Hopes for Lasting Peace in West Asia

New Delhi: India has officially welcomed the announcement of a two-week ceasefire between the United States and Iran at a time when the world was living under the threat of war. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) issued a statement on Wednesday expressing hope that this temporary pause will pave the way for lasting peace in West Asia. India has consistently emphasised the use of dialogue and diplomatic channels to defuse these long-standing tensions. India's concerns about security make this ceasefire strategically important for India. The Ministry of External Affairs has specifically noted that key sea lanes such as the Strait of Hormuz must remain open and secure. With the world's major oil supplies passing through, the conflict has caused major damage to energy supply chains and global trade networks. India wants commercial navigation to continue without hindrance to maintain economic stability. Islamabad President Donald Trump announced in a meeting with Army Chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa and Pakistan's Army Chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa that the ceasefire is "strategically important" for India.