India has strongly condemned the recent attacks by Yemen’s Houthi rebels on Saudi Arabia, warning that the escalation is threatening regional peace and the safety of a crucial international shipping route.
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Friday said India was deeply concerned about the deteriorating security situation in the Red Sea region. External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said attacks on Saudi sovereign territory, including civilian and economic infrastructure, were unacceptable to New Delhi.
India has also expressed concern over the reported attempted drone attack near Makkah. Saudi authorities said a drone launched by the Houthis was intercepted and destroyed before it could enter the restricted airspace around the holy city. India described the incident as particularly concerning because of Makkah’s special religious significance to Muslims across the world.
Speaking to reporters, Jaiswal said the attacks were affecting the wider security environment in the region and threatening freedom of navigation through the Bab el-Mandeb Strait. India has repeatedly called for attacks on civilian infrastructure and commercial shipping to stop and for peace and stability to be restored.
The Bab el-Mandeb is a strategically important maritime passage connecting the Red Sea with the Gulf of Aden. Any prolonged disruption in the area could affect international shipping and energy supplies. The waterway has become particularly important for India amid wider disruptions in West Asian maritime routes.
The latest escalation comes as fighting between the Houthis and Saudi-backed forces has intensified in Yemen. The Houthis have expanded their presence along parts of Yemen’s Red Sea coast, including areas close to the Bab el-Mandeb. The developments have raised concerns about the possible impact on commercial shipping and regional energy infrastructure.
India has maintained close diplomatic engagement with Saudi Arabia as tensions in West Asia have increased. The issue of Houthi attacks on Saudi territory was also discussed during a meeting between External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan on the sidelines of the BRICS Summit in New Delhi on September 13.
New Delhi has also been monitoring the situation involving Indian citizens in the region. Jaiswal said Indian nationals currently in Yemen were safe, while the Indian embassy in Saudi Arabia remained in contact with them to ensure their welfare.
India’s latest statement reflects its broader position that attacks on civilian infrastructure, sovereign territory and commercial shipping can have consequences beyond the immediate conflict zone. With tensions continuing around the Red Sea and Bab el-Mandeb, New Delhi has called for an early restoration of peace and stability in the region.
The situation remains closely watched because any further escalation could create additional challenges for maritime security, trade and energy movement between Asia, the Middle East and Europe.
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