NSA Ajit Doval visits Saudi Arabia amid India’s push to engage key energy suppliers

National Security Adviser Ajit Doval visited Saudi Arabia over the weekend to assess the regional situation amid the ongoing West Asia conflict and reinforce India’s energy security.

The visit followed closely after External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar travelled to the United Arab Emirates and Petroleum Minister Hardeep Singh Puri visited Qatar. These engagements are part of New Delhi’s broader outreach to key energy partners amid disruptions linked to the closure of the Strait of Hormuz.

Doval arrived in Riyadh on Sunday, where he was received by Saudi Deputy Minister for Political Affairs Saud Al-Sati, a former envoy to India.

During the visit, Doval held meetings with Energy Minister Abdulaziz bin Salman, Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan and National Security Adviser Musaed Al-Aiban. According to the Indian embassy in Riyadh, discussions focused on bilateral ties, regional developments and issues of mutual interest.

Saudi Arabia remains one of India’s top three energy suppliers, alongside Russia and Iraq, and is home to nearly four million Indians.

India’s recent diplomatic outreach across West Asia aims to ensure uninterrupted energy supplies and safeguard the welfare of its diaspora. New Delhi has also called for safe and unimpeded passage of commercial shipping and a return to dialogue and diplomacy to ease regional tensions.