Prime Minister, Saudi Crown Prince agree on need to keep shipping lines open. india news
New Delhi: PM Narendra Modi has spoken to Saudi Crown Prince and PM Mohammed bin Salman and reiterated India’s concern about freedom of navigation as Iran-aligned Houthis entered the battlefield in West Asia by firing missiles at Israel, raising concerns over transportation of Saudi crude through the Red Sea.“We agreed on the need to ensure freedom of navigation and keep shipping lines safe. Thanked him for his continued support for the welfare of the Indian community in Saudi Arabia,” Modi wrote on Twitter after his talks with the de facto Saudi ruler. Modi also reiterated India’s condemnation of attacks on regional energy infrastructure.
The Houthis – a Shiite group that is armed and backed by Iran and which has taken control of Yemen – had until now remained on the sidelines of the fighting. They have fought against the Saudis and in 2023, as part of the conflict, blocked the strategically important Bab al-Mandab Strait – a narrow passage that carries a significant part of global energy and cargo flows. At a time when risks remain around the Strait of Hormuz, any disruption in the Bab el-Mandeb could put further pressure on already vulnerable supply chains.This was the second telephonic conversation between the PM and the Crown Prince since the conflict in West Asia began on February 28.Underscoring India’s energy and diaspora interests in the Gulf, Modi has spoken to leaders of all GCC countries twice since the conflict began and condemned the violation of their sovereignty and territorial integrity. However, India has not yet condemned the US-Israel attacks on Iran.In his talks, Modi has repeatedly called for keeping the Strait of Hormuz – which Iran continues to control – open to ensure global energy security is not adversely affected.