External affairs minister (EAM) S Jaishankar on Tuesday highlighted India’s deep concern over the situation in the Gulf during a meeting with UAE deputy prime minister and foreign minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, emphasising support for “free, safe and unimpeded flow of trade, energy, and fertiliser”.
Delivering his opening remarks, Jaishankar also asserted that India would support efforts to promote dialogue and diplomacy. We continue to support free, safe and unimpeded flow of trade, energy, and fertiliser.”
Jaishankar said, “The situation in the Gulf remains a matter of deep concern; we will continue to work together and support all efforts to promote dialogue and diplomacy.
Meanwhile, Saudi forces on Tuesday said they had intercepted a Houthi ballistic missile aimed at the capital, according to an AFP report. The UAE deputy PM landed in Mumbai on Monday to further strengthen the bilateral partnership between the two nations. Informing about his arrival, ministry of external affairs (MEA) spokesperson Randhir Jasiwal wrote in a post on X, “A warm welcome to HH Sheikh @ABZayed, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of UAE, as he arrives in Mumbai on an official visit to India. He was received by Shri Mangalprabhat Lodha, Minister, Skill Development Department of the Government of Maharashtra.”
Turki Al-Malki, a spokesman for the Saudi-led military coalition backing Yemen’s government in its war against the Houthis, reportedly said that the kingdom “intercepted and destroyed a ballistic missile launched by the terrorist Houthi militia towards Riyadh”. “A warning has been issued by the National Early Warning Platform in Riyadh City to alert for a potential danger,” the Saudi civil defence said in a statement on X.
