US, India and UAE foreign ministers meet in Mumbai over energy security
The trilateral talks covered regional security and economic priorities amid disruptions to oil supplies through the Strait of Hormuz and concerns over Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia.
The foreign ministers of the United States, India and the United Arab Emirates met in Mumbai today (20 October) in a trilateral format to discuss regional energy security, economic cooperation and developments in West Asia.
Indian External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and UAE Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan took part in the meeting.
"It was great to meet with Indian External Affairs Minister @DrSJaishankar and UAE Foreign Minister @ABZayed to discuss regional energy security and advance our shared economic priorities," Rubio said in a social media post.
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Jaishankar described the meeting as "a useful exchange of perspectives on energy, connectivity and contemporary developments".
The discussions reportedly covered the security situation in West Asia and the economic fallout from disruptions to shipping through the Strait of Hormuz.
The strait is one of the world's most important energy chokepoints, carrying roughly one-fifth of global petroleum supplies. Disruptions to shipping through the waterway amid the conflict involving Iran have affected oil flows and heightened concerns over global energy security.
Rubio arrived in Mumbai this afternoon, while Al Nahyan began a two-day visit to India on Monday evening.
Houthi attacks raise regional concerns
The meeting comes amid heightened tensions in West Asia, including Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia that have raised concerns over energy infrastructure and maritime security.
New Delhi has expressed concern over attacks on Saudi Arabia's civilian infrastructure and economic assets, warning that such strikes threaten regional stability and freedom of navigation through the Bab-el-Mandeb Strait.
The Iran-backed Houthi group has also attacked Saudi Arabia's East-West oil pipeline, a key route for transporting crude oil to export terminals that bypass the Strait of Hormuz.
The pipeline has become particularly important amid disruptions to shipping through Hormuz, providing Saudi Arabia with an alternative route for oil exports.
The Bab-el-Mandeb Strait, between the Horn of Africa and the Arabian Peninsula, connects the Red Sea with the Gulf of Aden and the Arabian Sea. It is a vital shipping corridor, and threats to navigation there could further disrupt international trade and energy supplies.
