Finance
Energy security was a major topic of discussion during External Affairs Minister (EAM) S Jaishankar’s recent trip to Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, and Oman, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) stated on Tuesday.
At a weekly media conference in New Delhi on Tuesday, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal stated that EAM Jaishankar met with counterparts from Oman, Qatar, Kuwait, and Bahrain to address matters of importance such as trade, energy, and investment.
When asked whether alternative routes for energy supply were discussed during EAM Jaishankar’s visit to the four nations in West Asia, Jaiswal responded, “External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar visited four countries in the Gulf region. In each of those countries, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, and Oman, he held extensive discussions with the leadership, including at the highest level.”
“He also met with his counterparts in all these four countries and discussed several issues that are of interest, including trade, energy, and investment. Energy was an important part of the conversation and also they discussed the developments that are happening in West Asia and shared their perspectives on this particular issue. But, yes, energy security was an important part of the conversations that he had in the Gulf region,” he added.
The MEA statement came as tensions in West Asia remained high after the US and Iran exchanged new military strikes on Sunday in response to Tehran’s attack on a vessel transiting the Strait of Hormuz, casting doubt on the possibility of a diplomatic solution and raising concerns about global energy supplies.
The Strait of Hormuz connects the Persian Gulf, the Gulf of Oman, and the Arabian Sea. It is one of the world’s most important energy corridors, transporting oil and liquefied natural gas exports from major Gulf producers to worldwide markets like India and other Asian economies.
EAM Jaishankar paid an official visit to Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, and Oman from July 5 to 10.
EAM Jaishankar and Oman Foreign Minister Sayyid Badr Albusaidi met to examine the full scope of the Strategic Partnership and share opinions on regional and global topics of common concern. EAM Jaishankar acknowledged India’s appreciation to Oman for its swift aid to Indian mariners during recent regional developments.
During his visit to Kuwait, EAM Jaishankar met with Crown Prince Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Mubarak Al-Sabah and Prime Minister Sheikh Ahmad Abdullah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah. EAM Jaishankar also met with Kuwait’s Defense Minister, Sheikh Abdullah Ali Abdullah Al-Salem Al-Sabah, and Foreign Minister, Sheikh Jarrah Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah.
In a statement, MEA stated, “The discussions provided an opportunity to review the India-Kuwait Strategic Partnership and exchange views on regional and global issues of mutual interest.”
EAM Jaishankar paid a two-day visit to Bahrain from July 6-7. During the tour, EAM met with Bahrain’s King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa in the presence of Crown Prince and Prime Minister Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa. He also addressed Bahrain’s Deputy Prime Minister, Shaikh Khalid bin Abdullah Al Khalifa.
During these discussions, he extended President Droupadi Murmu’s and Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s greetings and underlined India’s commitment to developing its partnership with Bahrain, according to a MEA statement. He complimented Bahrain’s authorities for guaranteeing the safety, security, and well-being of the Indian population in Bahrain.
Jaishankar and his Bahraini counterpart, Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani, met and discussed regional and international issues of mutual interest. They reviewed bilateral relations between India and Bahrain and highlighted opportunities to deepen collaboration in a variety of industries.
During his visit to Qatar, EAM Jaishankar met with the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani. The two ministers discussed the full range of bilateral relations, with a focus on energy, trade, investment, and people-to-people links. They also talked about regional and multilateral problems of common concern. EAM Jaishankar praised Qatar’s mediation role in the ongoing US-Iran negotiations.
Source: IANS
