NEW DELHI: India’s continued engagement with the Gulf saw PM Narendra Modi speaking to Kuwait Crown Prince Sabah Al-Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Mubarak Al-Sabah and underlining the significance of safe navigation through Strait of Hormuz and condemning the Iranian attacks on Kuwait.This was the second time Modi spoke to the Crown Prince since the US-Israel strikes on Iran on Feb 28. The PM had on Tuesday spoken to UAE President Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan to condemn the attacks and to stress the need for efforts to ensure safe passage through the key energy route. Modi also conveyed Eid greetings to both leaders.“We exchanged views on the evolving situation in West Asia and shared concerns over recent developments. Reiterated India’s condemnation of attacks on Kuwait’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. Ensuring safe and free navigation through the Strait of Hormuz remains our foremo-st priority,” said the PM on X.“We agreed that sustained diplomatic engagement remains essential for regional peace and stability. I thanked him for continued support for the safety and well-being of the Indian community in Kuwait,” he added.In 2024-25, Kuwait accounted for about 3.5% of India’s total energy needs, ranking as India’s sixth largest crude supplier and fifth largest LPG source. The PM is likely to speak to the leaders of other GCC countries in the next few days.
