India Welcomes US-Iran Ceasefire, Calls for Dialogue as Strait of Hormuz Reopens to Global Commerce

“We welcome the ceasefire reached and hope that it will lead to a lasting peace in West Asia. As we have continuously advocated earlier, deescalation, dialogue and diplomacy are essential to bring an early end to the ongoing conflict,” the ministry said in a statement. “The conflict has already caused immense suffering to people and disrupted global energy supply and trade networks. We expect that unimpeded freedom of navigation and global flow of commerce would prevail through the Strait of Hormuz,” it added.

Earlier, the United States and Iran agreed to a two-week ceasefire, 39 days after airstrikes on Tehran triggered the war in the Middle East. “Subject to the Islamic Republic of Iran agreeing to the COMPLETE, IMMEDIATE, and SAFE OPENING of the Strait of Hormuz, I agree to suspend the bombing and attack of Iran for a period of two weeks,” US President Donald Trump wrote on Truth Social earlier today.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi confirmed the development, stating, “If attacks against Iran are halted, our Powerful Armed Forces will cease their defensive operations.”

Trump said Iran had submitted a “workable” 10-point plan. Iran has now released its demands, which include lifting of longstanding US sanctions, a guarantee of its “dominion” over the Strait of Hormuz and the removal of US forces from the region.

Earlier, Trump set a deadline for Iran to open the Strait of Hormuz, the blockade of which raised global oil prices and sparked energy security concerns in key Asian markets such as India and China. Trump had threatened to destroy all power plants and bridges in Iran, stating, “A whole civilization will die tonight, never to be brought back again. I don't want that to happen, but it probably will.” The truce announcement came just an hour before the deadline ended.

The ceasefire marks a critical pause in a conflict that has shaken global energy stability and trade networks, with India underscoring the urgency of sustained peace and uninterrupted maritime commerce through one of the world’s most vital shipping routes.