Transcript of Weekly Media Briefing by the Official Spokesperson (March 27, 2026)

Shri Randhir Jaiswal, Official Spokesperson:Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen. Let's start our conversation. We begin. The floor is open.

Yeshi Seli, Business India:This is Yeshi Seli from Business India. how many ships have come from the Strait of Hormuz right now? How many are expected? Also, has India sought any clearance from the US? There are reports that suggest to import LPG from, or LNG from Russia?

Sidhant, WION:Hi sir, Sidhant from WION. We have seen an interesting tweet by the Bangladeshi Prime Minister, Tarique Rahman, marking the Genocide Day, calling out Pakistan. We've also seen the Pakistani reaction saying that 1971 is open to different interpretations. What's India's stance, given the fact that India played an important role in the Liberation War?

Uma Shankar Singh, Independent Journalist:Uma Shankar Singh, independent journalist. Iran ke videsh mantri ki taraf se ek bayan aaya hai ki Bharat samet char desho, jo ki dost desh hain, unke jahazon ko jane ki manzuri humne de di hai. Toh kya jo uh... Faras ki khadi mein abhi 20 jahaz bataye ja rahe hain, kya wo waha se chale hain, aur agar chale hain toh kab tak Bharat pahunchenge?

[Approximate Translation: Question in Hindi]Uma Shankar Singh, independent journalist. A statement has come from Iran's Foreign Minister that ships from four friendly countries, including India, have been allowed passage. So, regarding the approximately 20 ships currently being reported in the Persian Gulf-have they started moving from there, and if so, by when are they expected to reach India?

Brahma Prakash Dubey, Zee News: Sir, Brahma Prakash Dubey, Zee News se. Kya yeh jankari de sakte hain, kya Russia se bhi jo hai kaccha tel aur crude oil aur LPG aa rahi hai? Aur iske alawa, kya Iran ne jis tarah se bayan diya hai, toh Iran ke sath kya sthiti hai? Kya waha se bhi LPG aur crude oil upload ho raha hai?

[Approximate Translation: Question in Hindi]Sir, Brahma Prakash Dubey, Zee News: Sir, I am Brahma Prakash Dubey from Zee News. Could you please tell us whether petroleum products such as crude oil and LPG are also coming from Russia? And apart from that, given the statement made by Iran, what is the current situation with Iran? Is LPG and crude oil also being loaded from there?

Rishabh, Times Now: Good evening, this is Rishabh from Times Now. Sir, there are reports which suggest that at the all-party meeting, earlier this week, there was a term used for Pakistan, 'dalal', by External Affairs Minister. If you can shed some light on that.

Shri Randhir Jaiswal, Official Spokesperson: Okay, so first Yeshi to your question. We have kept you informed of the ships, the Indian ships which have so far crossed the Strait of Hormuz. We've had four ships. They were laden with LPG. They have arrived in India. They safely crossed the Strait of Hormuz a few days back. We continue to be in touch with all concerned countries for the safe transit of our ships, to meet our energy requirements.

As far as, you know, there are several questions as to from where we are buying our energy requirements. On that, you are well aware of our broad approach to sourcing our energy needs. It is based on A, our imperative to secure the needs of our people, 1.4 billion people. Two, what are the dynamics in the market? And three, what is the global situation? So, these three issues or conditions are vital for us to take our decisions in regard to our sourcing, and it continues to be the case. As far as specific issues where we are buying our oil from X country, Y country, on those, I think it's better that you take your question to the Ministry of Petroleum because they will be in a better position to answer.

Sidhant, your question, on the tweet that you mentioned. We are all aware of the terrible atrocities that were committed by Pakistan during Operation Searchlight in 1971. The genocide involved systematic and targeted killing of millions of Bangladeshi people, innocent people, and mass sexual violence against women. It also forced millions of Bangladeshi people out of their country. They came to India as refugees. These atrocities, needless to say, it shook the conscience of the world at large. Pakistan however remains in denial to this very day of its crimes. We support Bangladesh in its desire for justice.

1971 mein jo Operation Searchlight Pakistan dwara uss samay jo chalaya gaya tha, usme kis prakar ka wahan par Bangladesh mein narsanghar hua uske baare mein sabhi log avgat hain. Is narsanghar mein ek suyojit tareeke se lakhon logon ki jaanein gayi, unko mara gaya, unke maut ke ghat utara gaya. Uske alawa aurton ke saath aur jinko wahan virangana kaha jata hai unke, unke khilaf alag alag tareeke ke violence hue, crimes hue.

Aur saath hi saath jo ki ek prakar ka dehshat tha uss samay uss desh mein, lakhon log apne desh chhod kar, Bangladeshi nagrik chhod kar hamare yahan aaye sharnarthi ke roop mein. Isne poori duniya ka antaratma mein bahut ek jhakjhor diya, aur abhi tak in sabhi crimes ko le ke, violence ko le ke, narsanghar ko le ke, Pakistan ek denial mode mein rehta hai. Hamari taraf se hum Bangladesh ko support karte hain ki unki jo ye nyay mangne ki aur nyay milne ki jo unki chaah hai uske liye.

[Approximate Translation: Answer in Hindi] In 1971, during the operation called Operation Searchlight carried out by Pakistan at that time, the kind of genocide that took place in Bangladesh is well known to everyone. In this genocide, lakhs of people were systematically killed-put to death in a planned manner. Apart from this, women-referred to there as "Biranganas"-were subjected to various forms of violence and crimes.

At the same time, there was an atmosphere of terror in the country, and lakhs of people fled their homeland and came to India as refugees. This shook the conscience of the entire world. However, to this day, Pakistan remains in denial regarding these crimes, violence, and genocide. From our side, we support Bangladesh in its pursuit of justice and its aspiration to achieve justice.

Iran ke baare mein Uma Shankar ji jaisa maine bataya ki chaar jahaz hamare wahan se aa chuke hain, aur hum kayi saare deshon ke saath, khadi ke deshon ke saath baat kar rahe hain taaki aur bhi jo hamare jahaz hain wahan se wo Strait of Hormuz se paar karke surakshit bahar Bharat aayein. Toh abhi tak toh yahi hai, iske aage mere paas vishesh kuch kehne ko nahi hai.

[Approximate Translation: Answer in Hindi]Regarding Iran, Uma Shankar ji-as I mentioned, four of our ships have already arrived from there. We are in talks with several countries, especially Gulf nations, so that more of our ships can safely cross the Strait of Hormuz and reach India. For now, this is the situation. I do not have anything further to add beyond this.

Brahma Prakash ji aapka sawal bhi wahi tha. Dekhiye jahan tak urja sourcing ka sawal hai, hamara jo, jo hamara soch hai hamara approach hai uske baare mein maine aapko bataya abhi. Baaki vishesh ki hamare tel kahan se aa raha hai, kin kin deshon se aa raha hai, iske baare mein mere paas vishesh jankari nahi hai. Is vishesh jankari ke liye aapko jo Petroleum Mantralaya hai, tel mantralaya hai unse, unke paas jana padega.

[Approximate Translation: Answer in Hindi] Brahma Prakash ji, your question was along the same lines. Look, as far as energy sourcing is concerned, I have already explained our approach to you. As for specific details about where exactly our oil is coming from and which countries it is coming from, I do not have that information. For such specific details, you would need to approach the Ministry of Petroleum.

Rishabh, to your question. As you are aware there was an all-party meeting which was held in Delhi on the ongoing conflict in West Asia. It was, let me underline, this was a closed-door meeting and therefore I have no comments to make. But as regards Pakistan's long-standing approach to global conflicts and tensions, you may care to listen to criticisms by Defence Minister Khawaja Asif, member of National Assembly Bilawal Bhutto, and former PM Imran Khan.

Suhasini Haidar, The Hindu: Suhasini Haidar from The Hindu. Dr. Jaishankar is in France for the G7 meeting. I wanted to know firstly if in the committee on sovereignty, I think he has spoken in the cross-cutting session, he has spoken about sovereignty. Was there a particular mention of the US and Israel strikes on February 28th that began this war?

And second, I did want to ask that South Africa has been disinvited now as one of the outreach members, special invitees from the G7. We also understand South Africa will not be invited to the G20 in US. Has India in any way protested the keeping out of South Africa, a country that India shares many multilateral fora, from BRICS to IBSA and others as well?

Ayushi Agarwal, ANI: Sir, this is Ayushi Agarwal from ANI. Are we expecting a meeting between our External Affairs Minister Dr. Jaishankar and his American counterpart Marco Rubio on the sidelines of the G7 Foreign Ministers' meeting in France?

Kadambini Sharma, Independent Journalist: Kadambari Sharma, Independent Journalist. Sir, French readout jo hai videsh mantri ki baithak ke baad jo aaya hai, usme kaha gaya hai ki Bharat aur France dono coordinate kar rahe hain Strait of Hormuz par security ko lekar. Is par kuch aur agar aap jankari de payein.

[Approximate Translation: Question in Hindi] Kadambari Sharma, Independent Journalist. Sir, following the Foreign Minister's meeting, the French readout mentioned that India and France are coordinating on security in the Strait of Hormuz. Could you provide any further information on this?

Akhilesh Suman, DD News: Sir, I am Akhilesh Suman from DD News. Strait of Hormuz… whose property is Strait of Hormuz? What is its legal situation? And can any country, even if it passes a resolution in its parliament, can it be the sovereign right of that country?

Keshav Padmanabhan, The Print: Sir, thank you. Keshav Padmanabhan from The Print. My first question is on the Strait of Hormuz. There are reports emerging that the United Arab Emirates is pushing for some sort of international coalition to open up the Strait of Hormuz. I wanted to check whether the Emiratis have reached out to India at any point during the conversations… multiple conversations had between the two senior leadership.

And a second question again on Iran, sir. The Iranian embassy here in New Delhi has been collecting humanitarian funds from Indians to bank accounts here located in India. Just, has there been any conversation on how they're going to repatriate these funds back home? Is that something that the MEA is in touch with the Iranians on this? Thank you.

Shri Randhir Jaiswal, Official Spokesperson:So, Suhasini first. Yes, our External Affairs Minister is in Paris for G7 Foreign Ministers' meeting. He on the sidelines has already had meetings with several foreign ministers, his counterparts, including France, Germany, South Korea, Japan, Brazil. Even as we speak, these engagements continue there because today is also a working day. He spoke at two sessions. One was on global governance where he talked about the imperative of Security Council reforms, also the question of streamlining peacekeeping operations, and strengthening humanitarian supply chains. He also apprised the gathering of India's concerns, of the concerns of the Global South countries, on food, fuel, and fertilizer. We all see the kind of impact that the conflict is having on these issues across the world.

In the second meeting, he also participated in a session where he focused on connectivity and IMEC. And there again he talked about the uncertainties arising from the conflicts in West Asia, and why it is important that we should have more resilient trade corridors and supply chains. In the context of IMEC, he also talked about the FTAs we've signed with UK and EU, as also with EFTA countries, and how they become important. And in that regard, how important the IMEC corridor itself is.

Now, on the question of which country... India is an outreach country which was invited by the host to participate in the G7 meeting. It is for the host to decide whom they want to invite, whom they want to call for those meetings. I guess there are some reports on that, so I would refer you to look at them. As far as G20 is concerned, this time United States is the chair of G20, and we look forward to participating in G20 summit which will happen later this year involving all G20 countries.

Ayushi, on... several meetings have happened, I am not particularly aware of this particular meeting whether it has happened or will be happening soon, but I guess it's still midday in Paris, so some of these meetings could still happen.

Kadambini, on your question, see there are several efforts that we have seen… reports about countries talking about coalition and as to what should be done to strengthen the transit of ships from Strait of Hormuz. In several forums, several places, there are these initiatives which are being discussed. We are aware of them. We are closely following the matter, as also developments in the ongoing conflict in West Asia. And our point of view is that we continue to call for ensuring safe and free navigation through the Strait of Hormuz as a matter of priority.

Strait of Hormuz, well, you asked me a technical question. I may be off, but just to let you know that what I understand that Strait of Hormuz is categorized as international waters and international law applies there. But there are discussions happening in relevant bodies, including the International Maritime Organization, on some of these matters.

Keshav, again, Strait of Hormuz, there are a lot of discussions happening in various platforms and forums as to what can be done to strengthen safety of navigation through Strait of Hormuz. I just told you that we are closely following this matter, as also the ongoing conflict, and our point of view is that we should have safe and free navigation through the Strait of Hormuz so that, you know, the problems that we have on energy security, not just for ourselves but for the world at large, can be addressed.

Your second question was regarding humanitarian funds. Look, embassies abroad or embassies here in India, they are not prohibited from accepting donations. Now, once those donations have been accepted, I guess the relevant embassy will see as to what it wants to do, how it wants to utilize those donations.

Reza, Hindustan Times:Reza from the Hindustan Times. There have been several reports of senior Shia leaders in Pakistan being very critical of the Pakistan army chief for certain remarks he made at a meeting with Shia clerics, where he said that anyone who is sympathetic to Iran should go to Iran. I was wondering if you have any views on that.

Neeraj, News18 India:Sir, Neeraj hoon News18 India se. Hamara sawal hai ki Bangladesh ke uchchayukt Riaz Hamidullah ne News18 India se khaas baat-cheet mein kaha hai ki suraksha se jude masle par Bangladesh koi aisa kadam nahi uthayega jo Bharat ke khilaf ho. Bharat aur Bangladesh sambandhon par is bayan ko aap kaise dekhenge?

[Approximate Translation: Question in Hindi]Sir, I am Neeraj from News18 India. My question is that Bangladesh's High Commissioner, Riaz Hamidullah, in a special conversation with News18 India, has said that on security-related matters, Bangladesh will not take any step that goes against India. How do you view this statement in the context of India-Bangladesh relations?

Megha, NewsX: Good evening, Sir. I'm Megha from NewsX. My first question, it is being reported that the Vice President of US, J.D. Vance is reportedly going to be arriving in Pakistan for possible peace talks. Is it acceptable to India that Pakistan hosts these as a mediator, these peace talks?

And the second question, about an Indian national that has died in Abu Dhabi yesterday. Is his mortal remains going to be brought back to India, and is there any operation that India is going to start for the evacuation of Indians in all these Gulf nations that are being targeted by Iran?

Shri Randhir Jaiswal, Official Spokesperson:Srinjoy.

Srinjoy: Sir, there have been media reports that President Trump and General Munir had a conversation a few days ago. What do we know about it?

Raghavendra Verma, ZDF German Television: This is Raghavendra Verma from ZDF German Television. This is regarding fertilizers, sir. There are reports that India has sought to import urea from China. Can you confirm that? Is it just a trade aspect of the relations or there is something strategic involved? Would China consider something else? Is it easy to import fertilizers from China?

Agni, ABP:Sir, Agni from ABP. It's been reported that Bangladesh's new foreign minister Khalilur Rahman will be visiting Delhi next month. Can you please confirm that and if he comes, what's the agenda of this travel?

Shri Randhir Jaiswal, Official Spokesperson:Okay, so first Reza, to your question. Yes, we have seen the report that you are talking about. Such comments are not isolated incidents but are part of Pakistan's systematic or systemic victimization of its minorities, including the Shia minority in that country. The shrinking numbers of minorities in Pakistan over several decades reflect the kind of fear, persecution, oppression, and neglect that they have had to endure at the hands of the Pakistani state. I need not elaborate on the abysmal record of Pakistan when it comes to protection of human rights of its minorities, which is also very well documented.

Neeraj, Bangladesh ke uchchayukt ke bayan ke baare mein. Dekhiye, Bangladesh mein ek nayi sarkar aayi hai. Is sarkar ke shapath grahan mein hamare Speaker sahab, Lok Sabha ke adhyaksh, wahan bheja gaya tha. Unke marfat hamare pradhan mantri ne apni taraf se jo unki chitthi hoti hai, badhai ki chitthi hoti hai aur jo hamari kalpana hai ki is rishte ko hum kaise aage le jana chahte hain, iske bare mein chitthi bhi unko diya tha. Dono taraf se baat cheet chal rahi hai aur jo Bangladesh ke saath hamare ek bahu-ayami rishte hain, usko hum kayam hi nahi balki aur mazboot karna chahte hain aur aage ki disha mein le jana chahte hain.

[Approximate Translation: Answer in Hindi]Neeraj, regarding the statement made by the Bangladesh High Commissioner-look, a new government has come to power in Bangladesh. At the swearing-in ceremony of this government, our Speaker, the Speaker of the Lok Sabha, was sent there. Through him, our Prime Minister conveyed his congratulatory letter, as well as our vision for how we would like to take this relationship forward. There is ongoing dialogue between both sides, and our relationship with Bangladesh is multi-dimensional. We not only want to maintain it but also strengthen it further and take it forward in the future.

Megha, on your question, I have to say that we are closely following all developments in the ongoing conflict in West Asia. That is how I would refer to or answer your question.

On the other question regarding Abu Dhabi. Yes, we had an unfortunate death yesterday. Our mission is working to send back the mortal remains at the earliest. Hopefully soon.

On your evacuation, I think there is no reason for any evacuation because you have these hundreds of flights every day which are coming from the Gulf to India and from India going to Gulf. So, please have a look at the press statement where we give an update on the commercial flights' availability and from which stations these flights are coming into India. So, there is no question of evacuation.

Srinjoy, regarding yours… again, I would say one thing that we are closely following all developments in regard to this ongoing conflict in West Asia.

Raghavendra … question regarding imports. We are sourcing fertilizer inputs from various parts of the world, from diverse sources. I am not sure what is the position as far as a particular country that you mentioned. We had been importing in the past, but whether we are doing it in present or not, I don't have this information. Perhaps the Department of Fertilizer would be in a better position. But just to tell you that we get fertilizer from various parts of the world.

Agni, your question regarding the visit of the Foreign Minister of Bangladesh. It will be an important visit. But you know, once these are finalized and we are in a position to … we announce these visits at the appropriate time. So, we will surely update you. You will come to know of the visit in good time.

Krisha Mohan Sharma, Bharat Express: Sir, Krisha Mohan Sharma, Bharat Express se. Mera sawal bhi Strait of Hormuz se hai. Jo hamare vessels ko aane ki ijazat di gayi hai safe navigation ki, kya ye faisla abhi temporary hai ya isko maan liya jaye ki aage aisi koi pareshani nahi aayegi?

[Approximate Translation: Question in Hindi]Sir, Krisha Mohan Sharma from Bharat Express. My question is also regarding the Strait of Hormuz. The permission granted for our vessels to navigate safely-should this be considered a temporary decision, or can it be assumed that such problems will not arise in the future?

Abhimanyu Sharma, CNBC TV18: Sir, I am Abhimanyu Sharma from CNBC TV18. Sir, are there any reports that India is importing oil and gas from Iran too?

And secondly, have any companies approached the government seeking any relief due to force majeure which has been declared in several West Asian countries which has possibly impacted several Indian companies' operations too?

Kallol, The Hindu:Kallol from The Hindu, sir. Sir, there is a new Prime Minister in Nepal who has been sworn in today. So, do you expect him to pay the first foreign visit to India?

Manas, PTI: This is Manas from PTI. It appears that BRICS is still, in fact, deeply divided over the crisis in Middle East. So, as BRICS Chair, are we just making efforts to just reconcile the differences and come out with a statement on West Asia crisis?

Sidhant, WION:Sir, there are reports coming that India is giving energy to its neighbors, especially to Sri Lanka. These countries had requested for energy support. Any more details because the Sri Lankan media at least is saying something...

Brahm Prakash, Zee News: Sir, Brahm Prakash hoon Zee News se. Sir, mera sawal hai ki Pakistan ki parmanu kshamta ko lekar Israel ke purva Pradhan Mantri bhi keh chuke hain ki agla, Iran ke baad agla jo hai woh Pakistan ko lekar target hona chahiye kyunki woh ek bada khatra hai. US ki Senate mein bhi Tulsi Gabbard ne bhi bayan diya ki wahan ki missile aur parmanu kshamta America ke liye bada khatra hai. Toh isko lekar sawal mera yeh hai ki Pakistan ke purva rajnayik jo Abdul Basit, unhone bayan diya India ko lekar ki agar US aur Israel Pakistan par hamla karte hain toh hum Mumbai aur Delhi ko nishana banayenge. Isko kya Bharat sarkar ne gambhirta se liya hai? Kya comment hai aapka? Thank you.

[Approximate Translation: Question in Hindi]Sir, I am Brahm Prakash from Zee News. My question is regarding Pakistan's nuclear capability. Even Israel's former Prime Minister has said that after Iran, the next target should be Pakistan because it is a major threat. In the US Senate as well, Tulsi Gabbard stated that Pakistan's missile and nuclear capabilities pose a significant threat to America.

In this context, my question is that Pakistan's former diplomat Abdul Basit has made a statement regarding India, saying that if the US and Israel attack Pakistan, then Mumbai and Delhi would be targeted. Has the Government of India taken this statement seriously? What is your comment on this? Thank you.

Shri Randhir Jaiswal, Official Spokesperson:So, Krisha Mohan, pehla sawal aapka tha Strait of Hormuz ko leke. Jaisa ki hum logo ne bataya ki hamare jo jahaz hai wahan 24 the, 4 aa gaye, 20 aur hai wahan, aur in jahaz ka wahan se surakshit dhang se Strait of Hormuz se nikalne ke liye hum wahan par jo desh hai un sab se baat kar rahe hain. Toh yehi sthiti hai abhi, case by case pehle jaise bataya tha us prakar se baat cheet chal rahi hai.

[Approximate Translation: Answer in Hindi] So, Krisha Mohan, your first question was regarding the Strait of Hormuz. As we mentioned, there were 24 of our ships there-4 have already arrived, and 20 are still there. For the safe passage of these ships through the Strait of Hormuz, we are in discussions with the countries in that region. So, this is the current situation. As mentioned earlier, the discussions are taking place on a case-by-case basis.

Abhimanyu, I don't have details about, you know, specific countries, what we are procuring from A or B country or C country. I've given you our broad approach to energy security and that is where we are.

Kallol, a question to the Prime Minister of Nepal. He was sworn in today. We had a question who attended from our side. The Ambassador was invited, so he attended the swearing-in function which happened this afternoon. Post the swearing-in function, our Prime Minister also conveyed his congratulations to Prime Minister of Nepal, His Excellency Balen Shah. And he conveyed that India very much looks forward to working with him to strengthen India-Nepal ties and to take these very special ties to even greater heights. As far as invitation or when he'll come, these are things that will be worked out in subsequent days and months ahead, through diplomatic channels, as is the normal procedure.

Manas, you had a question on BRICS. We are the chair of BRICS. We have ongoing conversation with BRICS members on the ongoing conflict in West Asia. As you're aware, some of the BRICS members are also involved directly in the conflict. We have a particular way of working; this is the BRICS way of working which is based on consensus. And for that reason, because we have differing opinion, it has been difficult for us to forge a particular consensus on this particular conflict.

Sidhant, we have received request from several of our neighbours, and we are working on them and presently supplying their needs or whatever energy requirements they have to them, while keeping in mind our own energy requirements, our availability and our refining capacity.

Brahm Prakash, main aapke sawal ke baare mein zyada nahi kehna chahta hoon. Lekin duniya jaanti hai aur hum log jaante hain ki Pakistan ka parmanu shastra jo hai, kis prakar ka khatra poori duniya ke liye paida karta hai.

[Approximate Translation: Answer in Hindi] Brahm Prakash, I would not like to say much more on your question. However, the world knows-and we know-the serious threat, Pakistan's nuclear arsenal poses to the entire world.

With that, let's come to the close. Thank you very much.

New Delhi
March 27, 2028