India’s MEA has expressed serious concern over escalating Red Sea tensions and an attempted drone attack near Mecca, warning that such attacks threaten regional stability, civilian safety and freedom of navigation through the strategically important Bab el-Mandeb Strait.
India has expressed serious concern over the deteriorating security situation in the Red Sea region and the attempted drone attack near Saudi Arabia’s holy city of Mecca, warning that the developments pose a threat to regional peace and stability as well as freedom of navigation through the Bab el-Mandeb Strait.
Addressing a bi-weekly media briefing in New Delhi on Friday, Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said India had condemned attacks on Saudi sovereign territory, including those targeting civilians, economic assets and other infrastructure. He described the developments as unacceptable and called for an early restoration of peace and stability in the region.
“We are deeply concerned about the escalation in the security situation in the Red Sea area,” Jaiswal said, reiterating India’s earlier position on the attacks. He noted that the violence not only affects regional security but also has implications for international maritime movement through the Bab el-Mandeb, a strategically important maritime passage connecting the Red Sea with the Gulf of Aden.
According to Jaiswal, attacks on Saudi territory “vitiate the regional security situation” and undermine regional peace and security. He also stressed that such developments threaten freedom of navigation through the Bab el-Mandeb Strait.
“Obviously, for various reasons, this is totally unacceptable to us. We hope that there is an early restoration of peace and stability in the region,” the MEA spokesperson said.
India also expressed particular concern over the reported drone attack near Mecca, given the city’s exceptional religious significance to Muslims across the world. In a statement, Jaiswal said India was deeply concerned about the incident and reiterated its condemnation of attacks against Saudi Arabia’s sovereign territory and actions that endanger civilian lives and infrastructure.
“We are deeply concerned at the drone attack near Makkah (Mecca). India reiterates its condemnation of attacks on the sovereign territory of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and of actions that endanger civilian lives and infrastructure,” Jaiswal said.
He added that the incident near Mecca was “particularly concerning” because of the special significance of the holy city to Muslims globally. India again called for the early restoration of peace and stability in the region.
The MEA’s remarks followed an incident in which the Royal Saudi Air Defence Forces intercepted and destroyed a hostile drone launched by Yemen’s Houthi group before it entered the prohibited airspace around Mecca. The incident added to concerns over the widening security situation involving Saudi Arabia and the Houthis.
India had already raised concerns earlier in the week over the escalation in the Red Sea region amid renewed exchanges of strikes involving the Houthis and Saudi Arabia. Jaiswal said External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar had also discussed regional and international developments with his Saudi counterpart on the sidelines of the BRICS Summit.
The two sides discussed several issues, including the situation involving the Houthis. India reiterated its condemnation of attacks on Saudi sovereign territory, particularly those affecting civilian infrastructure and economic assets.
The MEA has also highlighted the wider implications of instability in the region for maritime security and international trade. The Bab el-Mandeb Strait is an important route for global shipping, and disruptions in the surrounding region can affect freedom of navigation and commercial movement.
| Also Read: B’desh students disappointed over Pakistan’s fully funded scholarship terms |
Jaiswal further noted that India continues to receive energy supplies from the region, underlining the importance of stability and secure maritime routes. New Delhi has therefore continued to call for restraint, protection of civilians and infrastructure, and the restoration of peace and stability.
India’s latest statement reflects its continued concern over the security situation in the Red Sea and its potential implications for regional peace, civilian safety and freedom of navigation through the Bab el-Mandeb Strait.
