India is expected to strongly raise the issue of safe maritime passage through the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz during bilateral talks between External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi on the sidelines of the BRICS Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in New Delhi later this week, official sources said here on Wednesday.The talks assume significance as at least 13 Indian-flagged vessels remain stranded in and around the Persian Gulf amid continuing tensions linked to the ongoing West Asia conflict and disruptions around the Strait of Hormuz — one of the world’s most critical oil shipping chokepoints.India is hosting the BRICS Foreign Ministers’ Meeting on May 14-15 under its current presidency of the grouping, with foreign ministers and senior representatives from member and partner countries expected to attend. The meeting is being viewed as a key preparatory exercise ahead of the 18th BRICS Summit scheduled in New Delhi in September.According to the Iranian Foreign Ministry, Araghchi will participate in deliberations focused on “regional stability, multilateral cooperation and economic resilience” and will also hold bilateral discussions with Jaishankar and other leaders attending the summit.Sources indicated that India’s immediate priority remains ensuring uninterrupted energy supplies and securing safe transit for Indian commercial shipping and seafarers operating in the Gulf region. The Ministry of External Affairs had last week confirmed that 11 Indian vessels had already exited the Strait of Hormuz, while 13 others continued to remain inside the Persian Gulf.The crisis has emerged as a major concern for New Delhi because nearly one-fifth of global oil trade passes through the narrow maritime corridor separating Iran and Oman. India, heavily dependent on crude imports from the Gulf, has been closely monitoring the evolving security situation.Indian officials have maintained that diplomatic engagement with Tehran has been ongoing at multiple levels to ensure the safety of Indian ships and crew members. Jaishankar himself had spoken to Araghchi several times in recent weeks amid escalating tensions in the Gulf region.Government assessments earlier suggested that more than 1.7 million tonnes of Indian crude oil cargo, along with LNG and LPG shipments, had faced disruptions due to the uncertainty around Hormuz transit routes.Officials said India is expected to underline the importance of maintaining stability in the Gulf and ensuring that commercial shipping lanes remain open and secure, particularly amid rising geopolitical tensions involving Iran, the United States and Israel.The BRICS meeting itself is expected to focus extensively on reform of multilateral institutions, regional conflicts, global economic uncertainties, energy resilience and strengthening cooperation among emerging economies.