India condemned Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia, including the attempted strike on Makkah. The response underscored concern over regional stability and the safety of vital shipping lanes.
India on Friday condemned the attacks by Houthi rebels on Saudi Arabia, calling them unacceptable and warning that they were undermining regional security and threatening freedom of navigation in the Bab-el-Mandeb waterway. New Delhi also reiterated its condemnation of attacks on Saudi economic facilities and the attempted strike on the holy city of Makkah.
Responding to a question at his regular media briefing, External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said India was deeply concerned by the worsening security situation in Yemen and hoped for an early return of peace and stability in the region.
“We are deeply concerned at the escalation of the security situation in Yemen. We condemn the attacks on Saudi sovereign territory, especially the targeting of civilian and economic facilities, as well as the attempted attack on the holy city of Makkah,” Jaiswal said.
“Such attacks undermine regional security and stability and threaten freedom of navigation in the Bab-el-Mandeb and are unacceptable to us. We hope for the early restoration of peace and stability in the region,” he said.
The overall situation in West Asia has deteriorated after Houthi militants carried out a series of attacks on Saudi oil installations and other civilian infrastructure. India on Wednesday had voiced deep concern over the attempted drone attack on Makkah. The Iran-backed Houthi group had also attacked Saudi Arabia’s East-West oil pipeline, which is considered crucial for crude oil supplies. Since the conflict involving Iran disrupted shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, the East-West pipeline has served as a key alternative route for Saudi oil exports.
