Indonesian and Indian Foreign Ministers Discuss Middle East Conflict and Bilateral Relations

Jakarta — Indonesia’s Foreign Minister Sugiono and India’s Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar held a telephone discussion on Thursday regarding the escalating conflict dynamics in the Middle East and strengthening bilateral relations between the two countries.

In a statement released through his official social media account on X, Foreign Minister Jaishankar indicated that both ministers exchanged views concerning the conflict in Western Asia, which refers to the Middle East region. Additionally, Sugiono and Jaishankar discussed bilateral relations and efforts to strengthen them.

“I was pleased to speak with Indonesia’s Foreign Minister Sugiono,” said Jaishankar.

Jaishankar added that he and Sugiono agreed to hold a bilateral Joint Commission meeting in the near future.

The dialogue took place amid heightened tensions in the Gulf region triggered by a combined United States and Israeli military operation against Iran on 28 February. The strikes caused infrastructure damage and casualties, including the death of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

In response to the escalating Middle East conflict, Indonesia stated its readiness to facilitate negotiations among the conflicting parties to restore conducive security conditions in the region.

Entering the second week of the conflict, on Monday 9 March, Indonesia renewed its call for all parties to exercise restraint, urging the United States and Israel to cease attacks on Iran whilst demanding that Iran halt retaliatory strikes against Gulf states.

Meanwhile, 32 Indonesian nationals evacuated from Iran since Friday 6 March via Azerbaijan arrived in Jakarta in two flight waves on Tuesday 10 March and Wednesday 11 March.