External Affairs Minister Dr S. Jaishankar held a telephonic conversation with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio yesterday. In a social media post, he said their discussions were focused on the West Asia conflict and its impact on the international economy. Dr Jaishankar added that they both also talked about energy security concerns. 

 

The External Affairs Minister also met the envoys of the member states of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), including Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, yesterday. Saudi Arabia and the UAE alone are home to eight million Indians. The meeting was also attended by the ambassadors of Bahrain, Oman, Kuwait and Qatar. The Minister said, on social media that he and the six ambassadors had exchanged views on the conflict in West Asia. Dr Jaishankar thanked them for their continued support to the Indian community in the region.

 

Earlier in the day, the External Affairs Minister spoke to his Sri Lankan counterpart Vijitha Herath and discussed the repercussions of the West Asia conflict. He said India stands committed to Neighbourhood First and Vision MAHASAGAR.