‘This trip comes at a crucial time as the tensions in the Red Sea, due to attacks by Houthis is escalating. On Friday, the US and UK along with support from other countries, began to airstrike the Houthi basis in Yemen. India is concerned about the maritime security of the Red Sea but is not a part of the group involved in the air strikes. India and Iran are also trade partners so this upcoming trip of Dr Jaishankar is being viewed as crucial,’’ said a source.
Jaishankar had a telephonic conversation with Iranian Foreign Minister, Hossein Amir Abdollahian, on 6th November 2023, where the Iranian Foreign Minister had cautioned about the possible consequences of the war between Israel and Hamas and also said that Iran expected India, along with other regional and global countries ‘to work towards establishing a ceasefire and sending humanitarian aid to Gaza.’
He had also urged other nations to prevent what he called a `full-scale genocide and displacement of Palestinians.’
US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken spoke with Dr Jaishankar, and the two expressed concern over the maritime security challenges in the Red Sea
A short while later, the US and UK, along with other supporting nations, attacked Houthi bases in Yemen in the early hours of Friday,
It is also reported that the US had warned the Houthis of the attack to avoid an all-out war. The Houthis have claimed that the US has struck the same targets in Yemen that they did in 2015 and were now gearing up to target US and UK military bases.
Whether Dr Jaishankar’s upcoming visit helps in the de-escalation of the crisis remains to be seen.
Stay updated with all the insights.
Navigate news, 1 email day.
Subscribe to Qrius
