What happened:
On March 9, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar held a phone conversation with Antonio Tajani, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Italy, to discuss developments in West Asia.
Why it matters:
The talks highlighted concerns over the partial blockade of the Strait of Hormuz and its risks to global energy security, trade routes and economic stability, prompting coordination between India and Italy for de-escalation and protection of citizens in the region.