Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi discussed the ongoing Strait of Hormuz crisis, committing to improved bilateral cooperation to address the maritime blockade affecting global energy supplies. The two ministers spoke by phone on Tuesday. Tokyo expressed concern about the large number of Japanese vessels stranded in the Gulf. According to the Japanese foreign ministry, both nations confirmed their commitment to work together to calm the situation and ensure stable energy supplies to their countries.
Jaishankar acknowledged the conversation on social media platform X. He noted they discussed developments in West Asia, including international shipping through the strategic waterway. He also thanked his Japanese counterpart for offering condolences regarding Indian lives lost in the broader conflict. The Strait of Hormuz has been effectively closed since late February 2026, following U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran. However, Tehran has since taken a selective approach, allowing passage for ships from countries it views as non-hostile. Japan sources more than 90 percent of its crude oil imports from the Middle East and heavily depends on exports passing through the strait. This makes the closure especially critical for Japanese energy security.
India has secured passage for several of its vessels. Indian-flagged LPG carriers were evacuated from the strait between March 14 and 24 under the escort of Indian Navy warships. On March 26, Iran announced that ships from five nations, including India, would be allowed to transit. The coordination between India and Japan highlights the serious economic challenges both countries face due to the maritime disruption. The closure has strained global energy markets and led to emergency measures like coordinated releases from strategic oil reserves. Both nations are pursuing diplomatic channels instead of military options to resolve the crisis. They are prioritizing dialogue and regional stability while protecting their energy interests.