Amid Iran–Israel conflict, Jaishankar holds talks with Saudi, UAE and Indonesian ministers

India intensifies diplomacy amid West Asia tensions

External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar has stepped up diplomatic outreach as tensions intensify across West Asia, holding a series of conversations with foreign counterparts to discuss the rapidly evolving regional situation.

In his latest engagements, Jaishankar spoke with Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan and the UAE Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed. The discussions centred on recent developments linked to the ongoing conflict and its broader implications for regional stability. He noted that the exchanges involved a candid sharing of views on the situation and its potential consequences.

Earlier, on 12 March, Jaishankar also held talks with Indonesia’s Foreign Minister Sugiono. In a post on social media, he said the two leaders reviewed developments in West Asia alongside the state of bilateral relations between India and Indonesia.

Spoke last night to DPM & FM @ABZayed of UAE. Exchanged views on various aspects of the regional situation.

— Dr. S. Jaishankar (@DrSJaishankar) March 15, 2026

“Pleased to talk to FM Sugiono of Indonesia. Exchanged perspectives on the West Asia conflict. Discussed bilateral ties and agreed to hold the Joint Commission meeting at an early date,” Jaishankar said on social media.

Sugiono described the conversation as constructive, emphasising the importance of closer cooperation between the two countries. He said: “Agreed to enhance our bilateral cooperation in the next Joint Commission Meeting to be convened at the earliest mutually convenient time, and stay closely coordinated on regional and global developments,” he said on ‘X’.

Jaishankar has also spoken this week with counterparts from Iran, Russia, Germany and South Korea, underscoring India’s continued diplomatic engagement as tensions deepen between Iran and the US-Israel alliance.

The escalating crisis is beginning to reverberate through global energy markets. Oil and gas prices have risen sharply after Iran effectively restricted movement through the Strait of Hormuz, a vital shipping route between the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman that carries roughly 20 per cent of the world’s oil and liquefied natural gas shipments.