Jaishankar, Saudi FM discuss West Asia conflict and bilateral ties in Delhi

External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar held talks with his Saudi Arabian counterpart, Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud, in New Delhi on Sunday, with the discussion spanning the conflict in West Asia and the two countries' bilateral relationship.

The Saudi Foreign Minister was in the capital for the concluding day's session of the BRICS summit.

In a social media post, Mr. Jaishankar said he was pleased to meet Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud, and that the two exchanged views on regional and global developments as well as on ways to take forward bilateral cooperation.

The ministers are understood to have discussed the escalating tensions in West Asia, in particular the attacks on a key Saudi Arabian oil pipeline by Houthi militants.

Iraq has said the latest strikes on Saudi Arabia's East-West oil pipeline were launched from its territory.

Since the conflict involving Iran disrupted shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, the East-West pipeline has functioned as a vital alternative route for Saudi Arabia's oil exports.