India's External Affairs Minister, Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, engaged in discussions with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken concerning the alarming Houthi attacks in the southern Red Sea and Gulf of Aden. The talks, held to address shared concerns, highlighted the reckless nature of these assaults. The attacks, posing a threat to the free flow of commerce, endangering mariners, and breaching international law, were central to the dialogue, as per a US State Department statement.

During the conversation, Secretary Blinken stressed the Red Sea's significance as a major commercial corridor for international trade. He expressed a desire for increased collaboration with India in safeguarding freedom of navigation in the region, emphasizing its importance in global trade.

Beyond maritime security, the leaders also discussed the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas. Efforts to prevent the conflict's escalation and explore ways to improve humanitarian aid delivery to Gaza's civilians were part of the comprehensive talks.

Jaishankar shared his thoughts on the discussion in a social media post, stating, "A good discussion this evening with my friend, US Secretary Antony Blinken. Our conversation focused on maritime security challenges, especially in the Red Sea region. Appreciated his insights on the ongoing situation in West Asia, including Gaza." He also mentioned exchanging perspectives on developments related to the Ukraine conflict.

These discussions unfolded against the backdrop of a significant retaliatory strike by the US and British militaries. The strike targeted a dozen sites used by the Iranian-backed Houthis in Yemen, marking the first US military response to a persistent campaign of drone and missile attacks on commercial ships since the onset of the Israel-Hamas conflict. The military operation included hitting logistical hubs, air defense systems, and weapons storage locations, according to reports citing various US officials.

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