External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Thursday discussed the challenging security situation in the Red Sea with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken.
Jaishankar and Blinken also shared views on the Israel-Hamas conflict and the situation in Ukraine in this phone conversation.
Jaishankar wrote on the social media platform ‘X’, “Had a good conversation with my friend US Secretary of State Blinken this evening. Our talks focused on maritime security challenges, especially in the Red Sea region. Appreciated his perspective on the current situation in West Asia including Gaza.”
Later the Foreign Minister also spoke on phone with his Australian counterpart Penny Wong.
US State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller has also issued a statement saying that US Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken has spoken to Indian Foreign Minister Subramaniam Jaishankar.
In the conversation, both ministers expressed concerns over Houthi attacks in the southern Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden and discussed the future strategy.
Miller said attacks by Houthi rebels in the Red Sea not only threaten the free flow of commercial shipping, but also endanger innocent seafarers and violate international law.
The statement said the US Secretary of State emphasized that the Red Sea is a major commercial corridor that facilitates international trade. They welcomed increased cooperation with India to protect freedom of navigation in the region.
The two ministers also discussed efforts to prevent escalation of the Israel-Hamas conflict and delivery of humanitarian aid to civilians in Gaza. The US Secretary of State has also discussed Russia’s aggressive war against Ukraine.
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