E-Paper
PM Modi speaks to UAE President, stresses on safe navigation through Strait of Hormuz
During this call, the two leaders discussed the rising tensions in the West Asian region.
India on Tuesday emphasised the importance of ensuring safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz as Prime Minister Narendra Modi dialled United Arab Emirates (UAE) President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan to discuss the situation in West Asia.
This was the second phone call since the start of Israel and the US’s war against Iran between Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed and Modi, who has spoken to the leaders of several Arab countries in recent days.
Follow LIVE updates on the US Iran war here
Modi said on social media that he spoke to Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed to discuss the current situation in West Asia. “We agreed on the importance of ensuring safe and free navigation through the Strait of Hormuz,” he said.
“Reiterated India’s strong condemnation of all attacks on the UAE that have resulted in loss of innocent lives and damage to civilian infrastructure,” he added.
Also Read | Diplomacy, dark mode: How India-bound ships made safe passage via Strait of Hormuz
India has repeatedly emphasised the security of 10 million Indian nationals living in West Asia, including some four million in the UAE. Several Indians have been injured in Iranian drone and missile strikes on infrastructure in the UAE.
Modi said he also conveyed advance Eid greetings to the UAE President, and that the two sides will “continue to work together for the early restoration of peace, security and stability in the region”.
He last spoke to Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed on March 2 and condemned attacks on the UAE and backed de-escalation and regional peace. In recent days, Modi has also spoken to Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Bahrain King Hamad Bin Isa Al Khalifa, Jordan’s King Abdullah II, Oman’s Sultan Haitham bin Tarik, Kuwait’s Crown Prince Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled Al-Sabah and Qatar’s Amir Sheikh Tamim binHamad Al Thani.
