New Delhi, 12 March (H.S.): External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar held three conversations with his Iranian counterpart over recent West Asia conflict developments, focusing on Indian shipping safety and national energy security.

MEA Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal, at Thursday's weekly briefing, confirmed the latest exchange covered shipping protection and India's energy needs, cautioning against premature commentary.West Asia strife has disrupted oil and gas flows, exacerbating domestic shortages.

On Bangladesh petroleum requests, Jaiswal noted India's role as a key exporter to neighbors, reviewing a diesel supply plea since 2007 via Numaligarh Refinery—waterways, rail, and India-Bangladesh Friendship Pipeline—under a 2017 sales agreement, balancing refinery capacity and domestic needs.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar