New Delhi, April 8 -- India on Wednesday welcomed the two-week ceasefire between Iran and the United States and called for the unhindered movement of global commerce through the Strait of Hormuz, while expressing hope that developments in West Asia will encourage peace efforts in Ukraine.

Iran and the US announced the ceasefire, brokered by Pakistan with the backing of China, early on Wednesday, following 40 days of airstrikes and attacks on energy and other infrastructure that had triggered fears of a wider war engulfing West Asia. The conflict, which began with Israel and the US's military strikes on Iran on February 28, disrupted shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, used to transport 50% of India's oil imports.

"We welcome the ceas...