Iran’s Foreign Minister Dials S Jaishankar: Navigating a Deepening Crisis in West Asia

​The diplomatic phone lines between New Delhi and Tehran are buzzing with urgency. On Wednesday, January 14, 2026, Iran’s Foreign Minister, Seyyed Abbas Araghchi, reached out to India’s External Affairs Minister, S Jaishankar. The timing of this call is far from ordinary. It comes at a moment when Iran is facing its most significant internal and external challenges in decades. According to the official statement from Jaishankar, the two leaders discussed the "evolving situation" in and around Iran.

​While diplomatic language is often carefully neutral, the context surrounding this conversation is anything but calm. Iran is currently gripped by massive nationwide protests, a plummeting currency, and the looming threat of international military intervention. For India, the stakes are incredibly high, ranging from the safety of thousands of its citizens to the stability of its strategic energy and trade routes.

​The Unfolding Unrest Within Iran

​To understand why this phone call happened now, we have to look at what is happening on the ground in Iran. For nearly three weeks, the country has been hit by a wave of anti-government protests that began over economic hardships. The Iranian rial has crashed to record lows, and double-digit inflation has made daily life a struggle for the average family.

​What started as an agitation over prices has quickly transformed into a broader demand for political change. Reports suggest that the unrest has spread to every single province in the country. Unfortunately, the situation has turned violent. Estimates indicate that over 2,500 people have lost their lives in the clashes so far. In the eyes of the international community, the crackdown has reached a tipping point, leading to a massive increase in diplomatic pressure on the Iranian leadership.

​Washington’s Warning and the Threat of War

​Adding fuel to the fire is the rapidly deteriorating relationship between Tehran and Washington. US President Donald Trump has recently signaled that the United States might take direct military action if the Iranian government continues its harsh crackdown on protesters. In a recent message, the US President went as far as to tell the demonstrators that "help is on the way."

​This is not just a war of words. The US has already announced a 25% tariff on any country that continues to trade with Iran. This economic "nuclear option" is designed to completely isolate the Iranian economy. For India, which has historical and strategic ties with Iran, these threats create a massive diplomatic headache. Araghchi’s call to Jaishankar likely included discussions on how to prevent the current tension from spiraling into a full-blown regional war.

​India’s Immediate Priority: Safety of Its Citizens

​While the big-picture politics are important, the Indian government’s most immediate concern is the safety of its people. There are currently over 10,000 Indian nationals living in Iran. This group includes roughly 2,000 medical students, 4,000 seminary students, and thousands of fishermen and business professionals.

​Following the conversation between the two ministers, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) issued a "strong advice" for all Indians to avoid travel to Iran. More importantly, the Indian Embassy in Tehran has urged those already in the country to leave immediately by any available commercial means. The embassy has set up emergency helplines and asked everyone to keep their travel documents ready. The call from Araghchi was likely an attempt to reassure India while also acknowledging the gravity of the security situation that necessitated such a drastic evacuation order.

​The Economic Impact: Trade and the Petro-Rial

​The "evolving situation" also refers to the crumbling economic bridges between the two nations. India has historically been a major trade partner for Iran, particularly in the sectors of food, pharmaceuticals, and tea. However, the combination of internal unrest and new US tariffs has brought this trade to a virtual standstill.

​Payments are getting stuck, and shipping routes are becoming dangerous. The 25% US tariff has made it nearly impossible for Indian exporters to maintain their usual business. During their talk, the two ministers may have touched upon the survival of essential trade, but with the Iranian rial in freefall and the country in the midst of a communications blackout, the prospects for "business as usual" look very dim.

​Regional Stability and the "Green Lung" of Diplomacy

​India has always played a balancing act in West Asia. It maintains strong ties with the US, Israel, and the Arab nations, while also keeping a functional relationship with Iran. This unique position makes India a vital "bridge" during times of crisis. Iran knows that India is one of the few global powers that can talk to all sides without being immediately dismissed.

​By dialing Jaishankar, Araghchi is likely seeking a diplomatic opening. Iran wants to ensure that India understands its perspective on "external interference" and sovereignty. On the other hand, India is using its influence to urge restraint and dialogue. S Jaishankar’s mention of the situation "in and around" Iran suggests that the discussion wasn't just about the protests, but also about the potential for the conflict to spill over into neighboring countries and disrupt the vital oil shipping lanes in the Persian Gulf.

​What Happens Next?

​The next few days will be critical for the future of the region. As Indian nationals begin to scramble for flights out of Tehran and Mashhad, the world is watching to see if the US will follow through on its military threats. The diplomatic channel between Jaishankar and Araghchi remains one of the few lines of communication that hasn't been completely severed by the heat of the conflict.

​The Aravalli-like ancient stability of Iran’s political system is being tested like never before. If the situation continues to evolve toward a military confrontation, the global economy could see a massive spike in energy prices and a total reorganization of trade in West Asia. For now, India’s focus remains on "de-escalation" and the safe return of its students and workers.