S. Jaishankar Holds Talks with Saudi Arabia and UAE Counterparts Amid West Asia Conflict

India’s External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar held discussions with his counterparts from Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates to review the rapidly evolving situation in West Asia, as tensions in the region continue to escalate.

The conversations were part of India’s ongoing diplomatic engagement with key regional partners to assess the impact of the conflict and ensure the safety of Indian citizens.

Discussions with Saudi and UAE Foreign Ministers

Jaishankar spoke with Faisal bin Farhan, the Foreign Minister of Saudi Arabia, late Saturday night. After the call, he posted on social media that the two leaders discussed recent developments related to the conflict in West Asia.

The Indian minister also held a conversation with Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the Foreign Minister of the United Arab Emirates, where both sides exchanged views on the broader regional situation.

Continued Engagement with Iran

Earlier in the week, Jaishankar also spoke with Seyed Abbas Araghchi, the Foreign Minister of Iran. This marked the fourth conversation between the two leaders since the conflict began on February 28.

India’s diplomatic approach has become increasingly complex as Iran has urged New Delhi to take a leading role within the BRICS grouping in issuing a statement condemning the attacks by the United States and Israel.

However, with Saudi Arabia and the UAE also being part of BRICS, India has to carefully balance its position to maintain strong relations with all sides.

Strategic Importance of Regional Partners

India maintains long-standing historical and cultural ties with Iran, which has also facilitated the passage of certain India-bound ships through the Strait of Hormuz during the crisis.

At the same time, Saudi Arabia and the UAE are crucial partners for India, serving as major energy suppliers and investment sources, while also hosting a large Indian expatriate community.

This combination of economic, strategic, and diaspora interests has made India’s diplomatic stance particularly delicate as it seeks to avoid taking sides in the conflict.

Evacuation and Travel Updates for Indian Citizens

The Indian government said that around 1,94,000 passengers have returned to India from the region since February 28.

Flight operations across the Gulf region have been partially disrupted:

• In the UAE, flights are operating on limited and revised schedules from airports including Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Ras Al Khaimah, Sharjah, and Fujairah.
• In Saudi Arabia, flights continue to operate from several airports to destinations in India.
• Oman is also facilitating flights to India.
• Qatar has partially reopened its airspace, with Qatar Airways operating limited flights, including one to New Delhi.
• For Indians in Bahrain, Kuwait, and Iraq, where airspace remains closed, transit through Saudi Arabia is being arranged.

Authorities also confirmed that five Indian nationals have lost their lives in the conflict, while one Indian citizen remains missing. Indian missions in Oman, Iraq, and the UAE are coordinating with local authorities to locate the missing individual and repatriate the mortal remains of those who died.

Jaishankar Visits Brussels for EU Talks

Amid these developments, S. Jaishankar has begun a two-day visit to Brussels to hold discussions with leaders from the European Union.

The visit comes at the invitation of Kaja Kallas, EU High Representative and Vice President for Foreign Affairs, for the Foreign Affairs Council meeting.

This is the first high-level visit from India to Brussels since the landmark Free Trade Agreement discussions with the EU in January. During the visit, Jaishankar is expected to hold meetings with EU leadership as well as foreign ministers from Belgium and other EU member states.

Summary

India’s External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar has held diplomatic discussions with the foreign ministers of Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Iran to review the escalating conflict in West Asia. India is balancing its relations carefully as Iran has urged a BRICS condemnation of US-Israel actions, while Saudi Arabia and the UAE remain key energy and investment partners. Meanwhile, around 1.94 lakh passengers have returned to India from the region, with limited flight operations continuing across Gulf countries. Jaishankar has also begun a two-day visit to Brussels for talks with European Union leaders, marking an important diplomatic engagement amid the ongoing crisis.

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