India, Saudi Arabia emphasize maintaining maritime security

New Delhi

India and Saudi Arabia emphasized maintaining maritime security Tuesday, according to an Indian government statement Tuesday.

It came during a telephone call between Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in which they exchanged views on the current situation in the Middle East.

Modi and bin Salman “emphasized the need for maintaining the maritime security and the freedom of navigation,” said the statement.

The talks came amid attacks on ships in the Red and Arabian seas.

Iranian-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen have significantly stepped up their involvement in the current conflict in the Gaza Strip by targeting vessels in the southern Red Sea.