New Delhi: India is closely monitoring major geopolitical developments in West Asia, including reported discussions in Tehran involving Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Pakistan and Iran, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said on Wednesday.
MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said New Delhi was following developments in the region that could have implications for India’s interests. His remarks came amid reports of diplomatic efforts in Tehran aimed at reducing regional tensions and securing a ceasefire between Saudi Arabia and Yemen’s Houthi group, with Iran reportedly facilitating the discussions.
Reports have indicated that senior officials from Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Pakistan and Iran participated in the talks. There have also been claims that Saudi Arabia proposed financial assistance to the Houthis as part of efforts to end attacks against the kingdom. However, the reported proposal involving $1 billion has not been independently confirmed.
The discussions are taking place against the backdrop of broader regional tensions involving Iran, the United States and Israel. The reported diplomatic engagement has drawn attention to Tehran’s role in efforts to address regional security concerns.
Jaiswal also addressed questions about relations between the Maldives and Pakistan following Maldivian President Mohamed Muizzu’s visit to Islamabad, during which around 20 agreements were reportedly signed.
He emphasised that India’s relationship with the Maldives remained guided by its Neighbourhood First policy and the Security and Growth for All in the Region (SAGAR) vision. New Delhi considers Male an important regional partner and remains committed to strengthening friendly and mutually beneficial relations.
The MEA spokesperson added that India continued to monitor developments affecting its national security interests.
On India’s diplomatic engagement with Pakistan, Jaiswal reiterated that New Delhi’s policy remained unchanged following the 2019 Pulwama terror attack and subsequent developments.
His statement came in response to questions about whether India was considering a review of its diplomatic approach towards Islamabad.
India has not maintained High Commissioner level representation in Islamabad for nearly a decade, reflecting the continuing strain in bilateral relations.
New Delhi’s latest remarks underline its focus on closely tracking regional diplomatic initiatives while maintaining its established positions on national security and relations with neighbouring countries.
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