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The US has welcomed “increased cooperation” with India in preserving freedom of navigation in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden despite rising Houthi attacks in the region.
According to a statement from the State Department spokeswoman Matthew Miller, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken called with External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar on Thursday and they talked about “shared concerns” on the heedless Houthi strikes in the southern Red Sea and Gulf of Aden.
Miller said the attacks “threaten the free flow of commerce, endanger innocent mariners, and violate international law”.
“The Secretary emphasised the Red Sea is a major commercial corridor that facilitates international trade and welcomed increased cooperation with India in defending freedom of navigation in the region,” Miller said.
The conversation took place while the US and British armies carried out extensive counterattacks in Yemen, hitting twelve locations that the Houthis, who are supported by Iran, were using.
Along with these topics, the two leaders talked about the ongoing confrontation between Israel and Hamas, efforts to keep it from getting worse, and how to get more humanitarian aid to Gaza’s civilian population.
Jaishankar expressed his gratitude for Blinken’s observations on the current state of affairs in West Asia, particularly Gaza, in a post that was published on X on Thursday.
“A good discussion this evening with my friend US @SecBlinken. Our conversation focused on maritime security challenges, especially the Red Sea region. Appreciated his insights on ongoing situation in West Asia, including Gaza. Exchanged perspectives on developments pertaining to the Ukraine conflict. Looking forward to realising our extensive cooperation agenda for 2024,” Jaishankar added.
The Houthis — an Iran-backed Shia political and military organisation that has been fighting a civil war in Yemen against a coalition backed by Saudi Arabia — have launched drones and missiles at commercial shipping vessels in the Red Sea since November 2023, many of which have been intercepted and shot down by US Navy ships in the area.
Following Hamas’ attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, the rebel organization has stated that it is supporting Hamas’ struggle against Israel in Gaza.
As per the Council on Foreign Relations, since 2002, the United States has carried out about 400 airstrikes in Yemen.
However, a CNN article states that since the Hamas onslaught, officials from the White House and Pentagon have stated that they do not want to see the crisis in Gaza spread throughout the region.
Source:IANS
