New Delhi, May 16 -- India can play a "greater role" in diplomacy aimed at ensuring peace and security in West Asia as it has friendly ties with almost all countries in the region, Iranian foreign minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi said on Friday against the backdrop of the stalemate in negotiations between Iran and the US. Araghchi met National Security Adviser Ajit Doval on Thursday and held talks with his Indian counterpart S Jaishankar on Friday on the margins of a Brics foreign ministers meeting that concluded without consensus on a joint statement because of differences between Iran and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) on the West Asia conflict. The Indian side has called for dialogue and diplomacy to end the conflict, which has impacted supplies of energy and fertilisers because of Iran's closure of the Strait of Hormuz, while staying away from any direct role in mediating between the parties to the conflict. New Delhi has also had to strike a delicate balance between key West Asian states such as UAE, with which it has vital energy partnerships, and its long-standing ties with Iran. "I think India, with its good reputation, can play a greater role in this region, to help diplomacy, to help peace and to promote peace and security," Araghchi told a news conference at the Iranian embassy. "India is a friend to almost all the countries in the Persian Gulf, in the north of this gulf and in the southern part of that. So we appreciate any positive, constructive role played by India in this region," he said while responding to a question on the role that India can play in helping to end the conflict that began on February 28 with the military strikes on Iran by Israel and the US. Araghchi contended that a Brics member state with "special relations with Israel" - an obvious reference to the UAE - had stalled consensus within the bloc, but said it was for India to decide on its relations with other countries, including the Emirates. "What matters for us is the good relations which exist between us and India and it is rooted in history.We have always had and we are determined to continue our good relations with India," he said. He acknowledged that the Strait of Hormuz had figured in his discussions with Jaishankar and said the situation in the crucial waterway - used to transport almost 50% of India's oil imports - is "very complicated" and Iran is trying to help merchant shipping to safely cross the strait. "Everything would go back to normal once the act of aggression is totally and completely ended," he said, adding that only the vessels of countries involved in the war or those aiding Israel and the US will not be allowed to use the waterway. Araghchi also made it clear that only Iran and Oman will decide on the administration of the Strait of Hormuz under any future arrangements on the waterway. He suggested that the situation in the waterway will not return to normal till the US ends its "aggression" and lifts a naval blockade of Iranian ports....