External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar spoke to Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani yesterday. They discussed the present situation in the West Asia conflict. Dr Jaishankar also held a phone conversation with UAE Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan. It is understood that the conflict’s impact on global energy supplies figured prominently in the talks.

Dr Jaishankar’s phone conversations with leaders of the three West Asian nations came against the backdrop of a spike in tensions in the region after US President Donald Trump renewed his threat to Iran. Global oil and gas prices have surged after Iran virtually blocked the Strait of Hormuz, that handles roughly 20 per cent of global oil and LNG (Liquefied Natural Gas). West Asia has been a major source of India’s energy procurement.