On Friday, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) issued a statement condemning the latest Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabian territory in the Red Sea, labeling the escalation as "totally unacceptable." The attacks, which intensified after fresh strikes across the Yemen‑Saudi border on Thursday, have already knocked out Saudi Arabia’s east‑west pipeline and captured several strategic islands near the Bab‑el‑Mandeb strait.
MEAs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said the situation "vitiates regional security, impacts peace, and threatens freedom of navigation through Bab‑el‑Mandeb." He added that the attacks on civilians and economic assets in Saudi territory are a direct affront to international norms. The statement followed a separate warning issued after the attempted assault on the holy city of Makkah.
India’s External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar met Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al‑Saud at the sidelines of the BRICS summit, where they discussed the rising tensions. Meanwhile, U.S. President Donald Trump has rebuffed Saudi requests for military support, hinting that a "big decision" could shape the conflict’s trajectory.
Looking ahead, India is urging rapid de‑escalation and is positioning itself to engage in multilateral talks. The ministry will likely bring the issue to the UN Security Council next week, seeking a coordinated diplomatic response to safeguard the vital oil corridor that runs through the Bab‑el‑Mandeb strait.