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NEW DELHI: PM Narendra Modi has spoken to Saudi crown prince and PM Mohammed bin Salman and reiterated India’s concern about freedom of navigation as the Iran-aligned Houthis entered the theatre of war in West Asia by firing missiles at Israel, raising concern over the transport of Saudi crude through the Red Sea.“We agreed on the need to ensure freedom of navigation and keep shipping lines secure. Thanked him for his continued support for the welfare of the Indian community in Saudi Arabia,” Modi wrote on X after the conversation with the de facto Saudi ruler. Modi also reiterated India’s condemnation of attacks on regional energy infrastructure. The Houthis — a Shiite group who are armed and bankrolled by Iran and have taken control of Yemen — had so far remained on the sidelines of the battle. They have fought against the Saudis and, in 2023, as part of the conflict, blocked the strategically important Bab el-Mandab Strait — a narrow passage that carries a significant share of global energy and cargo flows. At a time when risks persist around the Strait of Hormuz, any disruption at Bab el-Mandeb could further strain already sensitive supply chains. This was the second telephonic conversation between the PM and the crown prince since the West Asia conflict started on Feb 28.Underscoring India’s energy and diaspora interests in the Gulf, Modi has twice spoken to leaders of all GCC countries since the conflict started and condemned the violation of their sovereignty and territorial integrity. India, however, is yet to condemn the US-Israel strikes on Iran.In his conversations, Modi has also repeatedly called for keeping the Strait of Hormuz — which Iran continues to control — open to ensure global energy security is not adversely impacted.
