External Affairs Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar had a phone conversation with Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah regarding the deteriorating security situation in West Asia. The discussion also touched upon its wider implications, including the recent conflicts in the region.
The call, as per the Saudi Press Agency and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Saudi Arabia, focused on the latest developments in the region and their impact on both regional and international security and stability. The ongoing crisis in West Asia, triggered by the US-Israeli “Operation Epic Fury” against Iran, has resulted in retaliatory strikes across the Gulf region.
Given their significant interests in West Asian stability, both India and Saudi Arabia have close diplomatic and economic ties with major regional players. India’s energy security, large expatriate population in the Gulf, and trade interests are closely linked to the region’s stability. Saudi Arabia, a prominent power in the Arab and Islamic worlds and a key US ally, finds itself in a delicate position amidst the escalating tensions.
The phone call between Jaishankar and Faisal bin Farhan is part of India’s broader diplomatic engagement in the region, emphasizing the importance both nations place on their strategic partnership. This partnership includes political coordination, energy cooperation, defense ties, and a substantial annual trade volume exceeding $50 billion.
