Against the backdrop of ongoing tensions in West Asia, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Thursday held wide-ranging talks with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi in New Delhi on the sidelines of the BRICS Foreign Ministers’ meeting, with discussions focusing on the regional security situation, energy concerns and bilateral cooperation.The meeting came amid growing international anxiety over the impact of the West Asia crisis on maritime trade routes and global oil supplies, particularly through the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz.“Had a detailed conversation with FM Abbas Araghchi of Iran this morning in Delhi. Discussed the situation in West Asia and its implications. Also exchanged views on bilateral issues of mutual interest,” Jaishankar said after the talks, while also appreciating Araghchi’s participation in the BRICS Foreign Ministers’ meeting hosted by India.Speaking later at a press conference, Araghchi stressed that diplomacy remained the only viable path to resolving the crisis and said India could play a larger and more constructive role in regional peace efforts.The Iranian Foreign Minister said Tehran viewed dialogue as the only viable path forward, maintaining that military confrontation could not resolve the complex disputes confronting West Asia.“There can’t be any solution other than a negotiated settlement on the West Asia crisis,” he said, while adding that Iran would welcome any “constructive role” played by India in efforts aimed at restoring regional stability.Araghchi also sought to calm concerns over the security of maritime movement through the Strait of Hormuz, the crucial energy corridor through which a significant portion of global oil supplies passes. He said Iran remained committed to ensuring the movement of commercial shipping despite the heightened tensions in the region.“Iran is ready to help pass all vessels through the Strait of Hormuz,” he said, though he acknowledged that the situation around the strategic waterway had become increasingly “complicated”.His remarks carry particular significance for India, which relies heavily on crude oil imports from the Gulf, with any disruption in the Strait of Hormuz likely to directly affect energy supplies, freight costs and global oil prices.On the ongoing indirect negotiations with the United States, Araghchi acknowledged that the process continued to suffer from a deep deficit of trust between the two sides. “These negotiations are suffering from trust. Iran has every reason not to trust the US while Americans have every reason to trust us,” he said,Rejecting allegations over Tehran’s nuclear ambitions, Araghchi reiterated that Iran had never sought to develop nuclear weapons. “Iran has never wanted nuclear weapons,” he asserted.