EAM meets Omani counterpart, discusses West Asia situation

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Thursday met his Omani counterpart Sayyid Badr bin Hamad Al Busaidi and discussed the West Asia crisis as well as the evolving regional landscape.

Jaishankar, who is in the Philippine capital Manila, also met with the foreign ministers of the Netherlands, Papua New Guinea and Brunei, as well as other leaders on the sidelines of meetings related to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).

The external affairs minister also called on the Philippines President Ferdinand R Marcos Jr . Jaishankar’s meeting with Al Busaidi came amid renewed tensions in West Asia with the US and Iran escalating military activity. While American forces are targeting Iran’s bridges, water desalination plants and electrical facilities, Tehran, in turn, is hitting US bases in allied countries throughout West Asia. “Appreciated meeting with FM Sayyid Badr bin Hamad Al Busaidi of Oman in Manila,” Jaishankar said in a post on X.

“Exchanged perspectives on the recent developments in the Gulf region. Agreed to remain in touch,” he said.

In a social media post, Al Busaidi said, “Excellent catch-up with @DrSJaishankar. Productive discussions on the evolving regional landscape and the need for sustained engagement to address shared concerns and challenges.”

In his meeting with the Philippines president, Jaishankar conveyed the greetings of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and India’s support for a successful chairship of the ASEAN.

“India-Philippines cooperation under the aegis of our Strategic Partnership continues to diversify as we implement the India-Philippines Plan of Action 2025–2029,” Jaishankar said on X.

He also met his counterpart from the Netherlands, Tom Berendsen.

“Followed up with FM Tom Berendsen @ministerBZ on the outcomes from PM @narendramodi’s recent visit to the Netherlands. The elevation of our ties to a Strategic Partnership has opened new avenues of cooperation, including in semiconductors, water resources, green hydrogen, health & culture,” he said.