'Undermined regional security': India condemns Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia | India News - Hindustan Times

**India Condemns Houthi Attacks on Saudi Arabia, Citing Threat to Regional Security**

The Houthi movement in Yemen launched a series of missile and drone strikes on Saudi Arabia on Wednesday, targeting oil-processing facilities and a convoy of military‑grade weapons trucks near the kingdom’s eastern border. The attacks set fire to several oil storage tanks and injured at least 73 people, according to Saudi authorities. The strikes, which come amid an intensifying cross‑border conflict between the Saudi‑backed Yemeni government and the Iran‑aligned Houthis, have prompted Riyadh to vow a “proportionate response” to any further aggression.

New Delhi’s Ministry of External Affairs issued a formal statement condemning the assaults, describing them as “unacceptable acts that undermine regional security and stability.” The statement underscored India’s “deep concern for the safety of Saudi citizens and the uninterrupted flow of energy supplies,” and reiterated the country’s commitment to the principles of sovereignty and non‑interference. Spokesperson Arindam Bagchi highlighted that India’s condemnation aligns with its broader policy of supporting peace initiatives in the Gulf and its longstanding strategic partnership with Saudi Arabia, which includes extensive trade in oil, defence cooperation, and a sizeable expatriate community.

Analysts note that India’s swift rebuke reflects the heightened sensitivity of Gulf states to any disruption of energy corridors, especially given the global reliance on Saudi crude. The condemnation also serves to reaffirm New Delhi’s diplomatic balancing act: while maintaining close ties with Saudi Arabia, India continues to engage with Iran and other regional actors to promote a negotiated settlement to the Yemen war. In the coming weeks, the Indian government is expected to coordinate with Saudi officials on security measures and to monitor any escalation that could impact Indian nationals and commercial interests in the region.