India attends UK-led talks as 37 countries sign pledge to secure Strait of Hormuz

India attended a UK-led virtual meeting on the Strait of Hormuz, a key shipping lane that has been effectively blocked since February 28 after the US-Israeli war against Iran.

The Ministry of External Affairs confirmed India’s Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri was part of Thursday’s call, which included foreign ministers and representatives from more than 40 countries.

Also Read: UK to host talks with 35 countries on reopening Strait of Hormuz


British Foreign Minister Yvette Cooper said the discussions focused on “the urgent need to restore freedom of navigation for international shipping, and the strength of our international determination to see the Strait reopen once more.”

“We have seen Iran hijack an international shipping route to hold the global economy hostage,” she said at the start of the meeting. Cooper said “unsustainable” spikes in oil and food prices were “hitting households and businesses in every corner of the world.”

The blockade has disrupted global supplies of oil, liquefied natural gas, and fertiliser, driving energy prices higher. According to maritime intelligence firm Kpler, tanker traffic has fallen 94% since peacetime levels, with only 225 crossings recorded since March 1.

more than three dozen countries including the UK, France, Germany, Italy, Canada, Japan and the United Arab Emirates have signed a statement demanding Iran stop its attempts to block the strait and pledging to “contribute to appropriate efforts to ensure safe passage” through the waterway.

Major powers such as the US, China, and most Middle Eastern countries have not signed. Whether or not India has signed the statement is not yet confirmed.

Cooper said discussions would centre on diplomatic and economic measures to reopen the strait, while military planners from participating countries are reviewing options to secure shipping once the conflict eases.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said the talks aim to explore all viable measures to resume shipping and protect seafarers, highlighting Europe’s effort to lead a coordinated response amid global energy pressures.

(With inputs from agencies)