External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar on Sunday held separate telephonic conversations with the foreign ministers of Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates to discuss the rapidly evolving situation in West Asia amid the ongoing regional conflict.
Jaishankar said he spoke late Saturday night with Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud on the latest developments related to the crisis.
“Had a telecon last night with FM Faisal bin Farhan of Saudi Arabia. Discussed ongoing developments related to the conflict in West Asia,” he said in a post on social media.
Had a telecon last night with FM @FaisalbinFarhan of Saudi Arabia.
Discussed ongoing developments related to the conflict in West Asia.
— Dr. S. Jaishankar (@DrSJaishankar) March 15, 2026
In another post, Jaishankar said he also spoke with the UAE’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, exchanging views on various aspects of the regional situation.
The outreach comes as New Delhi maintains close diplomatic engagement with key Gulf partners amid the escalating conflict involving Iran, Israel and the United States, which has heightened security concerns across the region and raised risks for energy supplies and maritime traffic.
Spoke last night to DPM & FM @ABZayed of UAE. Exchanged views on various aspects of the regional situation.
— Dr. S. Jaishankar (@DrSJaishankar) March 15, 2026
Meanwhile, Jaishankar has left for Brussels for a two-day visit from March 15 to 16 to engage with foreign ministers of the European Union during the bloc’s Foreign Affairs Council meeting.
The visit is taking place at the invitation of EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas.
Arrived in Brussels for consultations with #EuropeanUnion counterparts. Look forward to my meetings starting this evening.
— Dr. S. Jaishankar (@DrSJaishankar) March 15, 2026
During the meeting, Jaishankar will interact with foreign ministers from the EU’s 27 member states and hold bilateral talks with EU leadership as well as with his Belgian counterpart and other European partners.
Officials said the visit follows the 16th India-EU Summit earlier this year, where both sides concluded negotiations on a landmark free trade agreement and reaffirmed their commitment to deepen the strategic partnership.
The pact is expected to significantly expand market access and strengthen economic ties between the two major markets. Bilateral trade between India and the EU currently exceeds €120 billion annually, making the bloc India’s largest trading partner.
The Foreign Affairs Council meeting is also expected to discuss global issues including the war in Ukraine and the escalating crisis in West Asia, providing an opportunity for consultations with India on wider geopolitical challenges.