New Delhi:

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar held a phone call with his Omani counterpart Saeed Badr Abu Saidi on Monday to discuss the situation in West Asia and ongoing tensions in the Red Sea.

The two ministers agreed to stay in close contact for further discussions.

EAM Jaishankar posted on social media

Thanks for the call FM @badralbusaidi Oman.

The situation in West Asia and the Red Sea issue were discussed. Agree to keep in close contact.

–PhD. S. Jaishankar (@DrSJaishankar) February 5, 2024

The Houthis have been targeting Red Sea merchant ships owned by Israeli companies or transporting goods to and from Israel in solidarity with Gaza.

Houthi rebels allied with Iran say they will not stop attacks until Israel ends hostilities in Gaza.

Recently, the United States and Britain have launched air and ground attacks against the Houthis in Yemen, including fighter jets.

The attack by Yemen’s Houthi rebels came a day after the United States launched strikes against Iran-linked militia positions in Syria and Iraq.

Last week, as the situation in the Red Sea continued to escalate, India’s Ministry of External Affairs said it was a matter of concern to India.

Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) official spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal told the weekly press release on Thursday when asked whether India had discussed the Red Sea situation with other major powers and New Delhi’s policy on the issue. “This is a matter of concern not only for us, but also for some international actors. We have been discussing this issue with our interlocutors… The French president is here, while our foreign minister visits Iran,” he said at the meeting. , he was also present and had discussions with the President of Iran.” The President of the United Arab Emirates was here at the time. “

The MEA spokesperson also emphasized that the Indian Navy is also active and provides support to multiple vessels not only of India but also of other countries.

“You are also aware that the Indian Navy is active in this area of ​​the Gulf of Aden and the Arabian Sea and they have been providing support to several vessels… not only Indian but also other countries and, of course, supporting Indian sailors, which has been It was widely reported and appreciated,” Jaiswal added.

He said the threat to maritime commercial traffic also affected India’s energy and economic interests.

It is noteworthy that Oman is India’s strategic partner in the Gulf region and an important interlocutor with the Gulf Cooperation Council (AGCC), Arab League and Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA), the Ministry of External Affairs said.

Oman also attaches great importance to its relations with India. Connected geographically, historically and culturally on the coast of the Arabian Sea, the two countries share a warm and cordial relationship, thanks to historical maritime trade links and the royal family’s close relationship with India.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)