NEW DELHI DAILY - 6 MARCH 2026
JAISHANKAR Meets Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister As Energy Diversification Intensifies; U.S. Grants 30-Day Waiver For Russian Oil; IAF Sukhoi Crash Kills Two Pilots; Congress Demands Parliament Discussion On Iran War
External Affairs Minister Jaishankar meets Iran Deputy Foreign Minister amid escalating tensions
EAM Jaishankar held diplomatic meeting with Iran's Deputy Foreign Minister Khatibzadeh as Middle East conflict intensifies. This high-level engagement signals India's attempt to maintain diplomatic channels amid regional crisis.
Indian Navy denies providing intelligence on Iranian warship sinking by US submarine
Indian sources dismiss as baseless claims that Indian Navy provided intelligence leading to US submarine attack on IRIS Dena near Sri Lanka. Denial comes amid pressure over India's perceived neutrality in Iran conflict.
Congress criticizes Modi government over US waiver for Russian oil purchases
Mallikarjun Kharge slammed Trump's 30-day waiver permission for India to buy Russian oil as blackmail undermining sovereignty. Opposition questions India's strategic autonomy in energy security decisions.
DRIVING THE DAY
SUMMARY: External Affairs Minister S. JAISHANKAR met Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Saeed KHATIBZADEH on March 6, according to India Today, marking New Delhi's third high-level engagement with Tehran in three days as the U.S.-Israel war against Iran entered its seventh day. The U.S. Treasury issued a temporary 30-day license March 6 allowing Russian oil stranded at sea to be sold to India, per News18 and Business Standard, with the waiver covering approximately 15 million barrels already in transit and another 7 million barrels near Singapore. Two Indian Air Force pilots were killed March 6 when a Sukhoi Su-30MKI crashed in Assam's Karbi Anglong district, per Mint and News18, with the aircraft having lost radar contact approximately 60 km from Jorhat airbase the previous evening. Congress party leaders launched sustained attacks March 6 on the Modi government after the U.S. waiver announcement, with party president Mallikarjun KHARGE stating per Mint that words like "allow" and "permission" are used for sanctioned states, not equal partners, while Congress spokesperson Pawan KHERA invoked "gangs of Epstein" allegations in a social media post per India Today. Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. STALIN issued a statement March 6 questioning "why should India need another country's approval to secure its energy needs," per The Hindu, as opposition criticism of New Delhi's calibrated Iran response intensified. END SUMMARY.
