Jaishankar and Blinken Unite: Tackling Houthi Threats in the Red Sea

New Delhi: In a diplomatic response to worrying Houthi attacks in the southern Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden, India’s External Affairs Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar and US Secretary of State Antony Blinken held discussions underlining shared concerns. The reckless nature of these attacks, disrupting the free flow of commerce, endangering sailors and violating international law, remained a focal point in their talks.

According to a readout from the US State Department, Blinken highlighted the importance of the Red Sea as a major commercial corridor facilitating global trade. The two leaders expressed commitment to enhance cooperation between India and the United States to protect freedom of navigation in the region.

The talks extended beyond maritime security to the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict. Jaishankar, in a social media post, described the talks as a “good discussion” and praised Blinken’s insights on the situation in West Asia, especially Gaza. The leaders also exchanged views on developments related to the Ukraine conflict.

In particular, the discussions came amid a massive counter-offensive by US and British forces targeting Iranian-backed Houthi positions in Yemen. It was the first US military response to a sustained campaign of drone and missile attacks on commercial ships, increasing the urgency for international cooperation to combat these growing threats. The diplomatic unity displayed by Jaishankar and Blinken signals a joint commitment to safeguard maritime security and deal with the complex geopolitical landscape.