Amid Escalating West Asia Crisis, Jaishankar Speaks With Saudi, UAE Counterparts

Last Updated:March 15, 2026, 8:12 PM IST

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar engaged with foreign ministers from Saudi Arabia, UAE on West Asia tensions and rising oil prices.

File photo of External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar | File Image

External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar has been in touch with several foreign ministers as tensions continue to rise in West Asia. In his latest outreach, Jaishankar spoke with Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan and UAE Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed, discussing the evolving situation in the region.

The conversations focused on recent developments linked to the ongoing conflict in West Asia and the wider regional implications. Jaishankar shared that both discussions involved an exchange of views on the current situation and its possible impact.

Earlier on March 12, Jaishankar also spoke with Indonesia’s Foreign Minister Sugiono. In a message posted on social media, he said the two leaders discussed the conflict in West Asia and reviewed bilateral ties between India and Indonesia.

“Pleased to talk to FM Sugiono of Indonesia. Exchanged perspectives on the West Asia conflict. Discussed bilateral ties and agreed to hold the Joint Commission meeting at an early date,” Jaishankar said on social media.

Sugiono described the discussion as productive and highlighted the importance of strengthening cooperation between the two countries.

“Agreed to enhance our bilateral cooperation in the next Joint Commission Meeting to be convened at the earliest mutually convenient time, and stay closely coordinated on regional and global developments,” he said on ‘X’.

Jaishankar has also spoken this week with his counterparts from Iran, Russia, Germany and South Korea, as diplomatic engagement continues amid the rising tensions between Iran and the US-Israel alliance.

The ongoing crisis has begun affecting the global energy market. Oil and gas prices have climbed sharply after Iran effectively restricted movement through the Strait of Hormuz—a narrow waterway between the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman that carries around 20 per cent of the world’s oil and liquefied natural gas (LNG) shipments.

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