Transcript of Weekly Media Briefing by the Official Spokesperson (April 02, 2026)

Shri Randhir Jaiswal, Official Spokesperson: Good evening, ladies and gentlemen. Let's begin our conversation. The floor is open. Start from here.

Huma Siddiqui, Strat News Global: Sir, I have two questions. My name is Huma Siddiqui and I am from Strat News Global. Whether India has asked US for a special waiver for getting Russian LNG? And my second question is, will the Foreign Ministers of Quad meet in New Delhi next month?

Shri Randhir Jaiswal, Official Spokesperson: Meet when?

Huma Siddiqui, Strat News Global: Next month.

Yeshi Seli, Business India: This is Yeshi Seli from Business India. My question is on Indian peacekeepers in Lebanon. The exact numbers that are there, and I know that there has been a statement issued where India has urged that their safety becomes a priority. But three peacekeepers from Indonesia are already dead. So, what's the reason that they are there because this is an all-out war? How do you ensure that they stay protected?

And my second question is, the ships that are coming from Strait of Hormuz, are we paying any toll on the ships that are being released or are they just coming gratis?

Ayushi Agarwal, ANI: Sir, this is Ayushi Agarwal from ANI. I have a question related to the upcoming BRICS Foreign Ministers meeting. We are expecting it to take place next month. Has India sent invitations to all the members and if you can let us know how many countries have confirmed so far? Thank you so much.

Sidhant, WION: Hi sir, I am Sidhant from WION. When it comes to the neighborhood, we are providing support in terms of fuel to countries like Bangladesh and Sri Lanka. If you can perhaps give an overview.

And my second question is, the Japanese Foreign Ministry has opened a special unit in their department for India economic relationship to firm up economic relationship with India, which is a very novel way of dealing with bilateral relationships. How does India see that?

Keshav Padmanabhan, The Print: Thank you, Spokesperson. Keshav Padmanabhan here from The Print. My first question is with regards to Azerbaijan. Yesterday, the Indian Ambassador met with the Foreign Minister of Azerbaijan. In the past, especially during Op SINDOOR, there have been statements back and forth. So, just wanted to understand here what was specifically discussed, what is going to move forward? Have you agreed to the political office consultations that came out in the Azeri readout?

And secondly, just wanted to add, we are now in the month of April. The US had given a waiver for Chabahar till the end of April. What is sort of the status? Have there been discussions on extending this further? Can you just give us a sense because we are now on the 2nd of April and it should end on the 26th. Thank you.

Shri Randhir Jaiswal, Official Spokesperson: Okay. So, first Huma, to your question. We have seen some speculation on this matter. These reports are ill-informed when it comes to the facts of this particular matter. So, these are speculation and we would caution against such reports.

On Quad Foreign Ministers meeting, you said next month, we are still some distance away. We will keep you informed, well in time as to what we have, what we are planning, so on and so forth.

Yeshi, on the exact number of troops that we have in UNIFIL. We have around 600 Indian troops who are serving in UNIFIL. We have been doing it, our peacekeeping operations go back several decades. We are also the largest troop-contributing country to the UN peacekeeping missions. And the contribution of our peacekeepers has been well-noted, regarded, to global peace and security. We had also issued a statement, which you may have seen, condemning the recent attacks on UNIFIL in which several troops unfortunately lost their lives. We also pay homage to these brave blue helmet soldiers. Once again, we would like to emphasize that the inviolability of UN missions must be ensured, and safety and security of our peacekeepers must be ensured. As one of the largest and longest-serving contributors to peacekeeping, as also in consonance with UN Security Council Resolution 2589, we seek accountability for crimes against peacekeepers.

On your questions regarding payment, etc., we had clarified this issue earlier as well that there has been no discussion of this nature between us and Iran.

Ayushi, again, BRICS Foreign Ministers meeting, we are the chair. We are doing several of these meetings. You would have followed the recent working level meetings that we have done. We will be organizing a series of meetings going into our presidency. We'll keep you updated with the Foreign Ministers level meeting as also other tracks in which we'll have ministerial interaction.

Sidhant, on neighborhood, on Bangladesh as you would have seen, we continue to supply energy requirements to them since 2007 as per the commercial engagement that we have with them. We have also recently supplied fuel to Sri Lanka, 38,000 metric tons of petroleum products based on their request. Also, we have ongoing engagement with Nepal and Bhutan which continue.

The Government of Maldives has also reached out to us for supply of petroleum products, both on short-term and long-term basis. The Maldives request is being examined keeping in mind our own availability, our own needs. We also remain engaged with the Governments of Mauritius and Seychelles on the energy situation in these two countries. We have not received any request from them as yet. So that is how the situation is in our neighborhood.

On Japan, giving a focus to India-Japan economic partnership, this is a welcome move. Our economic partnership is one of the strongest pillars of India-Japan cooperation and we want to strengthen it further. We have a large number of Japanese companies who are active here in India in the manufacturing space, in the innovation space, and we want this number to continue further. We also have a large presence of Indian companies on the services side, on the IT side, on the tech side, and several other fields in Japan, and we want to strengthen our joint work together.

On Azerbaijan, question from Keshav. Azerbaijan, we have our ambassador there, he recently presented credentials. During the presentation of his credentials, he also discussed several issues of bilateral nature. As you know, several of our Indian nationals, 204 to be precise, have been able to leave Iran for Azerbaijan through the land border. And from there, they'll be coming back home. Several of them have returned. Others will be returning in the course of the next few days or so. We are thankful to the government of Azerbaijan for the support that they have rendered for the exit of Indian nationals from Iran through the land border. We have consultations and regular exchange between both sides and hopefully we'll have more details or more developments on this account for you.

There was a question regarding Chabahar. So, our position remains the same what I had conveyed earlier. This particular issue, sanctions waiver that was given to us, is valid till 26th April 2026. Government of India remains engaged with all concerned in order to address the implications of these developments.

Alexander, Russian media:Good evening. Alexander, I am with the Russian media. First Deputy Prime Minister of the Russian Government, Mr. Manturov, is visiting New Delhi as well as a high-ranking Russian Member of Parliament, Mr. Yakushev. Could you please give us an update on the interactions that they have with their Indian counterparts? Thank you.

Jessica, Doordarshan: Hi sir, this is Jessica for Doordarshan. Bahrain has proposed a resolution in UNSC calling for unimpeded transit through the Strait of Hormuz, which also includes the multinational naval partnership to secure the area. What is India's outlook to the proposed resolution?

Abhimanyu Sharma, CNBC-TV18:Sir, this is Abhimanyu Sharma from CNBC-TV18. Sir, are the news reports true that tankers are being allowed to flow through the Strait of Hormuz subject to the payment made in Yuan?

Vishal Pandey, ABP News: Sir, main Vishal Pandey hoon ABP News se. Ek mahine se zyada waqt beet chuka hai is yuddh ka. Jo yuddhgrast desh hain, wahan par Bhartiyon ki sthiti kaisi hai aur kitne Bhartiyon ki maut is yuddh ke dauran hui hai? Aur iske sath hi sath, Rashtrapati Trump ne aaj kaha hai ki Hormuz ki jo khadi hai, wahan par un deshon ko khulwane par vichar karna chahiye jo wahan se tel lete hain, America ka koi lena dena nahi. Is par Bharat ki kya pratikriya hai?

[Approximate Translation: Question in Hindi] Sir, I am Vishal Pandey from ABP News. It has been more than a month since this conflict began. What is the current situation of Indians in the war-affected countries, and how many Indian citizens have lost their lives during this conflict?

Along with this, President Trump has said today that countries which take oil through the Strait of Hormuz should think about opening it, as the United States has no direct stake in it. What is India's response to this?

Neeraj, News18 India:Sir, Neeraj News18 India se. ICT ko Sheikh Hasina ki taraf se patra likha gaya hai, jo unke khilaf saza di gayi hai, us saza ko hatane ke liye aur faisle ko gair kanooni bataya gaya. Bharat Sarkar ka kya paksh hai ispe?

[Approximate Translation: Question in Hindi]Sir, I am Neeraj from News18 India. A letter has been written to the ICT by Sheikh Hasina, in which she has called the sentence given against her illegal and has requested that it be revoked. What is the Government of India's position on this?

Shri Randhir Jaiswal, Official Spokesperson: Okay, so first, Alexander, coming to your question. We have the First Deputy Prime Minister of the Russian Federation, His Excellency Mr. Denis Manturov in Delhi. He arrived today and he will be there till tomorrow. He has several meetings lined up. We will keep you informed of those meetings. This visit is a bilateral visit for consultations, to follow up on the annual summit that we had recently. At the same time, we also have the First Deputy Chairperson of the Federation Council of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation, His Excellency Vladimir Yakushev. He is also in the city. He called on the Speaker of Lok Sabha a little while ago at the Parliament House and they exchanged as to how we can strengthen our parliament-to-parliament links. It looks very well for a relationship which is deep-rooted and time-tested in terms of its strategic content. So, more on these as we go into the evening, we will get more details, and also a press release for you giving the details of the meetings that the First Deputy Prime Minister will be having with dignitaries here in India.

Jessica, your question was regarding the Bahraini resolution. This particular resolution is under consideration in the UN Security Council. We are aware of the resolution. We also know that relevant parties, which means the members of the Security Council, are currently negotiating this particular text. As far as India is concerned, you very well know what we stand for. We stand for free and open commercial shipping and for maritime security in keeping with international law. We continue to call for ensuring safe and free navigation through the Strait of Hormuz as a matter of priority. And also, we are closely following all developments in regard to this West Asian conflict. So, that is how we look at the Bahraini resolution. Given to understand that it may come up for discussion or consideration today or tomorrow.

Abhimanyu, your question, again, I answered that question that there has been no discussion between India and Iran on the question of payment.

Vishal, Khadi ke deshon mein, GCC ke deshon mein, kareeban ek crore, yaani ki 10 million Bharatiya nagrik wahan rehte hain. Sabhi surakshit hain. Hamare dutawas sabhi deshon mein unse lagatar sampark mein hain, unse baat-cheet hoti rehti hai, taaki jo bhi unki samasyayein hon, jis prakar ki unko zaroorat ho, usko hum log poora kar sakein. Khed yeh hai ki is yuddh mein abhi tak aath Bharatiya nagrik hataahat hue hain aur ek abhi bhi gayab ya missing bataya ja raha hai. Toh yeh hai mota-mota aaklan hamare Bharatiya nagrikon ke baare mein. Lekin saath hi saath main yeh kehna chahta hoon ki hum log tatpar hain, yahan par Videsh Mantralaya mein, hamare Shipping Mantralaya, Jahaz Mantralaya, aur jitne hamare Bharatiya dutawas wahan par hain, hamare nagrikon ki suraksha ke liye aur unke hit ke liye.

Jahan Hormuz ki khadi ki baat aapne kahi, dekhiye jitni bhi gatividhiyan hain khadi ko leke, is yuddh ko leke, is conflict ko leke aur Hormuz ko leke, is saari gatividhiyan ko leker hum apni nazar banaye hue hain.

[Approximate Translation: Answer in Hindi] Vishal, in the Gulf countries, in the GCC nations, around one crore-that is, about 10 million-Indian nationals reside there. All of them are safe. Our embassies in all these countries are in constant contact with them, regularly communicating so that any issues they face or any needs they have can be addressed. It is unfortunate that, so far, eight Indian nationals have been injured in this conflict, and one is still reported missing. So, this is a broad assessment regarding our citizens. At the same time, I would like to say that we remain fully prepared-here at the Ministry of External Affairs, along with our Shipping Ministry and all our embassies there-to ensure the safety and welfare of our citizens.

As for the Strait of Hormuz, we are closely monitoring all developments related to the Gulf, the ongoing conflict, and the situation concerning the Strait of Hormuz.

Neeraj, aapka sawal tha ki abhi jo bhootpurva Pradhan Mantri Bangladesh ke hain, unhone kuch chitthi likha hai. Toh is chitthi par hamari kuch tippani nahi hai.

[Approximate Translation: Answer in Hindi]Neeraj, your question was about the letter written by the former Prime Minister of Bangladesh. We have no comments to offer on this letter.

Kadambini Sharma, Independent Journalist:Kadambini Sharma, Independent Journalist. Sir, kal UK ke PM ne ek bayan diya hai, usme unhone ye bhi kaha hai ki 35 deshon ka ek coalition banakar, usme agle hafte Strait of Hormuz se freedom of navigation aur maritime security par woh baat karenge, toh kya Bharat iska hissa hoga?

[Approximate Translation: Question in Hindi] Kadambini Sharma, Independent Journalist. Sir, yesterday the UK Prime Minister made a statement in which he said that a coalition of 35 countries will be formed, and next week they will discuss freedom of navigation and maritime security in the Strait of Hormuz. Will India be a part of this?

Vineeta Pandey, Asian Age Deccan Chronicle: This is Vineeta Pandey from the Asian Age Deccan Chronicle. Roughly 10 foreign-flagged vessels and 18 Indian-flagged vessels carrying crude oil and LPG are stranded in the Persian Gulf. Is the Indian Government in talks with the Iranian Government and other nations for quick … or to expedite the movement of the ships to India?

Suhasini Haidar, The Hindu: This is Suhasini Haidar from The Hindu. In addition to Kadambini's question about the idea that there is this 35-nation grouping that the UK Prime Minister is going to host virtually, there is also, we have seen a process with Pakistan, Egypt, Turkey, and Saudi Arabia, and Pakistan and China have five initiatives. The Gulf as well is apparently looking at ways of circumventing the Hormuz Straits through pipelines. I just wanted to get a broader sense of, is India involved in any multinational, any kind of peace initiatives when it comes to the war in West Asia?

And another is just a follow-up. I saw your statement on UNIFIL and condemning all the attacks on UNIFIL peacekeepers. I wondered, has India raised this directly with Israel? Because it is the IDF that is targeting the peacekeepers, and Israel has publicly announced that it intends to occupy parts of South Lebanon now, this side of the Littani river. This is all part of the UNIFIL's mandate and is going to make it even more dangerous for Indian peacekeepers over there.

Neeraj Dubey, Prabhasakshi:Sir, namaskar. Main Neeraj Dubey Prabhasakshi se. Sir, Cheen aur Bhutan ne seema muddon ko suljhane ke liye baat-cheet ki hai. 15th Expert Group Meeting ke baad bayan bhi dono pakshon ki or se jaari hue hain. Is par kya pratikriya hai?

[Approximate Translation: Question in Hindi] Sir, greetings. I am Neeraj Dubey from Prabhasakshi. Sir, China and Bhutan have held talks to resolve their boundary issues, and statements have been issued by both sides after the 15th Expert Group Meeting. What is your response to this?

Ayanangsha Maitra:Sir, this is Ayanangsha Maitra. Sir, what are expected to be on table during the maiden visit of Bangladesh Foreign Minister Khalilur Rahman?

Raghavendra Verma, ZDF German Television: This is Raghavendra Verma from ZDF German Television. Sir, Defense Minister Rajnath Singh made a statement today regarding a possible misadventure by a neighbor. Is there anything specific, something to worry that in the current situation from Pakistan or any other neighbor, there could be disturbance for peace on border or something?

Shailesh: Sir, our Defense Minister Rajnath Singh has also said along with this Pakistan issue that the Indian Navy is escorting the ships through the Gulf, through the Strait of Hormuz. Can you please elaborate, sir, how many ships have been escorted by the Indian Navy and who are the nations they are helping, or what is the current situation as of now, sir?

Shri Randhir Jaiswal, Official Spokesperson: So, Kadambini, first to your question. The UK side has invited several countries, which also includes India, for talks on the Strait of Hormuz. From our side, the Foreign Secretary is attending the meeting this evening. It may have started, or it will be starting shortly.

Vineeta, your questions, we are in touch with Iran and other countries there to see how best we can get unimpeded transit and safe transit for our ships which are carrying products including LPG, LNG, and other products. Through this conversation that we've had over the last several days, we've had six Indian ships which have been able to safely cross Hormuz, and we continue to be in touch with relevant parties on this matter.

Suhasini, yes, UK, I just said the Foreign Secretary is attending the meeting. I don't know the number of countries who are attending it; perhaps post-meeting we'll get a sense of how many countries have joined. But the Foreign Secretary will be or is participating in this conversation. As far as all the conversations that are happening, we are following all the developments that are linked to this particular conflict. Several conversations are actually happening on this particular subject, and we are keeping track of all those.

On your question regarding UNIFIL, these are matters that the United Nations is looking into for the time being. We are in constant touch with relevant agencies of the United Nations as to how best we can address these issues. So, that is where we are.

Neeraj, Bharat aur aapne Bhutan ki baat ki. Bhutan aur Cheen ke beech mein, ya koi anya desh ke beech mein, hamare padosi aur padosiyon ke beech mein jab baatcheet hoti hai, toh hum log un saari gatividhiyon ko apni nazar mein rakhte hain. Aur jis prakar ka koi agar uthana ho kadam, toh hum log uchit kadam uthate hain.

[Approximate Translation: Answer in Hindi] Neeraj, you mentioned India and Bhutan. Whenever there are talks between Bhutan and China, or between any of our neighboring countries, we keep a close watch on all such developments. And if any action needs to be taken, we take appropriate steps accordingly.

Ayangsha, Bangladesh Foreign Minister, as I told you last time also … once the visit is announced, we will keep you informed of the visit, the agenda, and also share more details of this bilateral visit.

Raghvendra, the Defense Minister of India has spoken, so I need not elaborate anything more. He has spoken on this particular matter.

Shailesh, to your question on Indian ships. I understand that as part of Operation Sankalp, which has been going on since 2019, if my memory serves me right, they are there in that area of the Arabian Sea and the Gulf of Aden to secure shipping lines. This is in our interest, as well as the interest of several of our partners. They have been there to provide and secure maritime commerce, and they have also been supporting ships that are passing from that area.

So, that is where we are. Thank you very much, ladies and gentlemen. Take care.

New Delhi
April 02, 2026