India calls for renewing ‘dialogue and diplomacy’ to end Iran war as peace talks falter again

India on Tuesday reiterated its call for dialogue and diplomacy to resolve tensions in West Asia after Iran announced the suspension of talks with the United States, raising fresh concerns about regional stability and prospects for peace.

Responding to questions on Iran's decision to halt negotiations, Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said that New Delhi was closely monitoring developments in the region and continued to support diplomatic engagement as the best path forward.

“We have been closely following developments in West Asia. Our position has been dialogue and diplomacy for an early return of normalcy and we once again emphasise it,” Jaiswal said.

India's remarks came after Iran suspended talks with Washington in protest against Israel's expanding military operations in Lebanon and continued actions in Gaza.

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Iran suspends talks with US

According to Iran's semi-official Tasnim news agency, Tehran's negotiating team has stopped talks and the exchange of messages with the US through mediators. Iran argues that Israel's military actions in Lebanon violate conditions linked to the broader ceasefire framework between Washington and Tehran.

The suspension of talks comes after fresh exchanges involving US and Iranian forces over the weekend, despite a ceasefire reached earlier. Efforts to secure a broader agreement have also remained complicated by longstanding disputes over Iran's nuclear and missile programmes.

Fighting continues despite ceasefire announcement

The diplomatic setback coincided with renewed violence in southern Lebanon. Hezbollah claimed several attacks on Israeli positions late Monday, just hours after US President Donald Trump announced a halt to fighting between the two sides.

Lebanon's state-run National News Agency reported Israeli strikes in several southern areas, including Marwaniyeh, Sidiqine, Yater and Mansouri. The agency also reported a powerful explosion in the town of Debbine.

Hezbollah said that its fighters targeted an Israeli Merkava tank with an attack drone and launched rocket and artillery attacks against Israeli troops near the town of Hadatha.

The clashes occurred despite a partial ceasefire announced earlier in the day. According to the arrangement outlined by Trump, Hezbollah had agreed through intermediaries to stop attacks on Israel, while Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had reportedly pledged not to send troops into Beirut's southern suburbs.

Against this backdrop, India has once again underlined the importance of dialogue and diplomacy, urging all sides to work towards de-escalation and an early restoration of peace and stability in West Asia.