NEW DELHI: National Security Advisor Ajit Doval on Tuesday said that India welcomed the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between the US and Iran expressing ‘cautious optimism’ that the agreement could restore regional stability, strengthen energy security and ease global supply chain disruptions.Speaking at the 16th BRICS National Security Advisers’ meeting, Doval said, “India welcomes the MOU reached between the US and Iran. We have got cautious optimism, and we hope that it will work. It will help energy security. The opening of the Strait of Hormuz is a very welcome development.”His remarks came after Washington and Tehran signed the peace deal digitally pausing the months going war and laying the groundwork for broader negotiations following weeks of conflict in West Asia and a fragile ceasefire. The agreement is expected to address issues related to maritime security, regional stability and Iran’s nuclear programme.Highlighting the economic significance of the deal, Doval said improved access through the Strait of Hormuz could help reduce disruptions in global trade and critical commodity supplies.“It will remove supply chain bottlenecks and many of the shortages in the field of fertilisers and chemicals, et cetera, will be met with. And the freedom of navigation that will be available to the countries in the region and beyond will probably also greatly improve our economic prosperity,” he said.Addressing the broader global security situation, Doval said the world was facing an increasingly complex and uncertain environment marked by military conflicts, economic challenges and rapid technological disruptions.“We are meeting at a very tumultuous time. The world is beleaguered by military conflicts and complex security problems,” he said.“It is facing geopolitical uncertainties, economic strains and disruptive technology. Not only are the threats compounding, but the instruments and institutional mechanisms are increasingly finding themselves inadequate to resolve or mitigate these conflicts,” he added.Doval also voiced concern over the weakening of multilateral institutions and called for greater cooperation among emerging economies.“Multilateralism is on the decline. BRICS was conceived as an informal grouping of emerging economies for a more multipolar world order. It was to advance economic cooperation and strengthen the voice of the Global South,” he said.“It also envisioned reforms in global governance and institutional improvements. BRICS is a very special coalition of countries that believe in peace, progress, development and cooperation. I’m happy to see that it is gaining strength day by day,” Doval added.Earlier this month, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had also welcomed the understanding reached between the US and Iran and expressed hope that it would help restore peace and stability in West Asia.“I welcome the understanding reached between the United States and Iran on ending the conflict in West Asia, which has caused serious economic disruption across the world and led to loss of life in many countries,” PM Modi had said in a post on X.“India hopes that the implementation of this understanding will help restore peace and stability in the region and ensure the freedom of navigation and commerce. We look forward to deliberations on the remaining issues reaching a sustainable final agreement,” he added.The latest agreement followed talks in Switzerland, which US Vice President JD Vance described as “a very productive 36 hours”. Vance said the discussions had made progress on maritime security, regional stability and international oversight of Iran’s nuclear activities.
