Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Saudi Arabian Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman agreed on ensuring freedom of navigation and keeping shipping lines open during a phone conversation focused on the West Asia conflict.
This was the second phone call between the two leaders since Israel and the US's military strikes on Iran triggered the conflict on February 28.
Modi has spoken to the leaders of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states, Iran, and Israel to call for de-escalation and restoration of key supply chains, and to ensure the well-being of 10 million Indians living in West Asia.
Modi said on social media that he and the Saudi Crown Prince discussed the ongoing conflict in West Asia.
"We agreed on the need to ensure freedom of navigation and keeping shipping lines open and secure," he said.
He reiterated India’s "condemnation of attacks on regional energy infrastructure" and thanked the Saudi leader for his continued support for the welfare of the Indian community in the kingdom.
The Indian government's outreach to the leadership of Iran and the West Asian states has focused on ensuring safe passage for Indian-flagged merchant vessels and tankers through the Strait of Hormuz, especially in view of the disruption of energy supplies because of the closure of the critical waterway that is used to transport 50% of the country’s oil imports.
