External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar held phone conversations with his counterparts from Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to address the evolving situation in West Asia amid escalating tensions between Iran and the US.
Key Diplomatic Engagements
Jaishankar spoke with UAE Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan and Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan on Saturday night. He shared updates on social media Sunday, stating about the Saudi discussion: “Discussed ongoing developments related to the conflict in West Asia.” Regarding the UAE call, he noted: “Exchanged views on various aspects of the regional situation.”
Energy Security in Focus
India’s energy security emerged as a central topic in both conversations. Global oil and gas prices have surged following Iran’s blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, a vital chokepoint that carries about 20 percent of the world’s oil and liquefied natural gas shipments between the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman. West Asia supplies a significant portion of India’s energy imports, heightening the stakes for New Delhi.
BRICS Consensus Challenges
These outreach efforts align with India’s role as current BRICS chair, following the group’s expansion to include Iran and the UAE. Iran recently launched retaliatory strikes against the UAE and other Gulf states after US and Israeli actions on February 28, stirring concerns within the bloc. India now leads efforts to forge a unified stance among members on the conflict.
