New Delhi, March 20 (NationPress) The External Affairs Minister, S Jaishankar, engaged in a phone conversation with his Australian counterpart, Penny Wong, on Friday, focusing on the persistent conflict in West Asia and matters concerning the Indo-Pacific region.

After the discussion, EAM Jaishankar took to his X account to express, "I was very pleased to converse with my Australian counterpart Penny Wong. We exchanged our evaluations regarding the ongoing conflict in West Asia and also deliberated on Indo-Pacific matters."

This dialogue between the two ministers is set against the backdrop of the ongoing conflict in West Asia, which escalated following the US-Israeli assaults on Iran on February 28, resulting in the death of Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and key military figures. In retaliation, Iran initiated drone and missile strikes targeting US and Israeli installations, regional capitals, and allied forces in West Asia.

In recent days, EAM Jaishankar has also been in touch with various counterparts, including those from Russia, Iran, France, and Oman, as India maintains close communication with regional governments and vital partners amidst the heightened security climate in West Asia.

On Thursday, he spoke with Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar about the ongoing conflict in West Asia and its implications. EAM Jaishankar tweeted, "Had a telecon with FM Gideon Saar of Israel this evening. We exchanged views on the ongoing West Asia conflict and its many repercussions."

Additionally, EAM Jaishankar met with the UAE's Minister of State for International Cooperation, Reem Al Hashimy, on Thursday, where they discussed the latest developments concerning the conflict in West Asia. During this meeting, he expressed his gratitude to the UAE Government for their support of the Indian community.

"I was pleased to meet with UAE Minister of State for International Cooperation Reem Al Hashimy this afternoon. I thanked the UAE Government for their care towards the Indian community and discussed the recent updates regarding the conflict in West Asia," he posted on X.

On March 16, EAM Jaishankar also had a meeting with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen in Belgium to discuss the situations in West Asia and Ukraine. He acknowledged her valuable insights on current global developments.

"It was a pleasure to meet European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen this afternoon. Her successful State Visit to India this January has marked a pivotal moment in our relations, and we are actively following up on it. I appreciate her insights on contemporary global developments," Jaishankar noted on X.