Indian envoy meets Yemen PM Zindani in Riyadh to strengthen bilateral ties
Synopsis
India's dual-hatted envoy to Yemen and Saudi Arabia held back-to-back diplomatic meetings in Riyadh — first with Saudi Arabia's multilateral affairs deputy minister, then with Yemen's PM Zindani — signalling active Gulf outreach at a moment of regional uncertainty. The Yemen talks, conducted on Saudi soil, highlight how India navigates diplomacy with a conflict-affected state.
Key Takeaways
Indian Ambassador Suhail Ajaz Khan met Yemeni PM Shaya Mohsin Zindani in Riyadh on 9 June 2025 to discuss bilateral relations.
Deputy Chief of Mission Abu Mathen George was also present at the India-Yemen meeting.
Khan holds dual charge as Indian Ambassador to both Yemen and Saudi Arabia .
On 8 June , Khan separately met Saudi Deputy Minister Abdulrahman Al-Rassi to review bilateral cooperation and multilateral coordination.
No specific agreements were announced; both meetings focused on reviewing ongoing cooperation and regional developments.
Indian Ambassador Suhail Ajaz Khan on Tuesday, 9 June called on Yemeni Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Shaya Mohsin Zindani in Riyadh, with both sides discussing ways to deepen bilateral relations across multiple sectors. The meeting, held at the Yemeni prime minister's office, also covered regional and international developments of shared concern.
What Was Discussed
According to a statement from the Yemen Prime Minister's office, the two sides reviewed 'ways to enhance and develop bilateral relations between the two friendly countries in various fields.' Developments on national, regional, and international fronts were also on the agenda, along with issues of mutual interest.
Deputy Chief of Mission Abu Mathen George from the Indian Embassy in Yemen was also present at the meeting. The embassy noted that ongoing cooperation between India and Yemen on various fronts was reviewed, along with the current regional situation.
Khan's Parallel Diplomatic Engagement with Saudi Arabia
Ambassador Suhail Ajaz Khan, who holds the dual charge of Indian Ambassador to both Yemen and Saudi Arabia, had also met senior Saudi officials a day earlier. On Monday, 8 June, he held a cordial meeting with Deputy Minister for International Multilateral Affairs and General Supervisor of the Economic and Development Affairs Deputyship Abdulrahman Al-Rassi.
According to the Embassy of India in Saudi Arabia, the two officials 'reviewed bilateral cooperation and coordination at various international fora and discussed other issues of mutual interest.' The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Saudi Arabia separately confirmed the meeting, noting that Al-Rassi received the Indian Ambassador to review bilateral relations and topics of common interest.
Why the Meetings Matter
The back-to-back diplomatic engagements come amid a complex regional environment, with the Yemen conflict and broader Gulf security dynamics continuing to shape India's strategic calculus. India has significant interests in the Arabian Peninsula — from energy security and trade to the welfare of its large diaspora in the region.
Notably, conducting diplomacy with Yemen from Riyadh underscores the operational constraints imposed by the ongoing conflict inside Yemen, where the internationally recognised government operates largely in exile. This is consistent with how several nations have maintained their Yemeni diplomatic engagements in recent years.
What Comes Next
No specific agreements or deliverables were announced following either meeting. However, the diplomatic activity signals India's intent to maintain active bilateral channels in the Gulf region at a time of heightened geopolitical flux. Further engagements between Indian and Yemeni officials are expected as both sides look to formalise areas of cooperation.
Point of View
Which cannot reliably host foreign envoys on its own soil. India's decision to keep a single ambassador dual-accredited to both Riyadh and Sana'a is pragmatic, but it also means Indian diplomatic bandwidth in a strategically vital sub-region is stretched thin. With the Gulf's security architecture in flux and India's diaspora and energy interests deeply embedded there, these courtesy calls need to translate into durable institutional frameworks — not just cordial reviews of 'issues of mutual interest.'
NationPress
25 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did India's ambassador to Yemen meet the Yemeni PM in Riyadh and not in Yemen?
Yemen's internationally recognised government has largely operated from Riyadh due to the ongoing conflict inside the country. Diplomatic meetings between foreign envoys and Yemeni officials are therefore routinely held in Saudi Arabia, reflecting the security constraints on the ground.
Who is Suhail Ajaz Khan?
Suhail Ajaz Khan is India's Ambassador to both Yemen and Saudi Arabia, holding dual accreditation to both countries. He conducted separate diplomatic meetings with Yemeni and Saudi officials on consecutive days — 8 and 9 June 2025 — in Riyadh.
What was discussed at the India-Yemen meeting on 9 June?
The meeting covered ways to enhance bilateral relations across various fields, a review of ongoing India-Yemen cooperation, and an assessment of regional and international developments of common interest. No specific agreements were announced.
What did Ambassador Khan discuss with Saudi Arabia's Deputy Minister Abdulrahman Al-Rassi?
On 8 June, Khan and Al-Rassi reviewed bilateral cooperation between India and Saudi Arabia and discussed coordination at various international forums, along with other issues of mutual interest.
Who else attended the India-Yemen meeting?
Deputy Chief of Mission Abu Mathen George from the Indian Embassy in Yemen was also present at the meeting alongside Ambassador Suhail Ajaz Khan.
