New Delhi, April 11 (NationPress) - On Saturday, the External Affairs Minister, S. Jaishankar, announced that yet another group of 312 Indian fishermen has been successfully transported from Iran to India via Armenia. He expressed his gratitude to the Armenian government for their pivotal role in this evacuation.

In a post on social media platform 'X', EAM S. Jaishankar stated, "We have successfully brought back another 312 Indian fishermen from Iran to India through Armenia. Special thanks to the Government of Armenia and my friend Ararat Mirzoyan for their vital support in this effort."

Previously, on April 5, a total of 345 Indian fishermen who were stranded in Iran due to the ongoing conflict in West Asia returned safely to Chennai after being evacuated through Armenia.

The Ministry of External Affairs highlighted that this operation is part of India’s ongoing commitment to safeguard its citizens in regions impacted by conflict.

EAM Jaishankar took to social media to convey his appreciation to the Armenian government for their assistance in facilitating the evacuation and acknowledged his counterpart Ararat Mirzoyan for ensuring the safe return of Indian nationals from Iran.

Armenia has been instrumental in the evacuation operations for Indian citizens in Iran. According to the MEA, over 1,200 Indian nationals have been successfully evacuated from Iran, with 996 of them moving through Armenia.

In related developments, delegations from the United States and Iran have arrived in Islamabad for negotiations aimed at de-escalating tensions in the Gulf region.

US Vice President J.D. Vance landed in Islamabad around 11:15 A.M. (IST) to lead the American delegation for these crucial discussions with Iran.

This weekend, all eyes are on Islamabad as high-stakes negotiations commence, potentially influencing stability in the Middle East and the global economy.

Before departing from Joint Base Andrews aboard Air Force Two, Vance expressed optimism regarding the upcoming discussions, stating, "We’re looking forward to the negotiation. I think it’s going to be positive."

This marks the first formal engagement between Washington and Tehran in this phase, made possible by a temporary two-week ceasefire that has eased tensions in the area.

However, uncertainties remain, particularly due to ongoing developments such as Israeli strikes on Hezbollah and disputes about Lebanon’s position in any prospective agreement, which could jeopardize the negotiation process.

The high-level US delegation includes Vice President Vance, special envoy Steve Witkoff, and Jared Kushner, son-in-law of former President Donald Trump, who are expected to advocate for a structured framework in the negotiations, with clear directives from the White House.