Saudi Arabia’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Adel Al-Jubeir, arrived in India on an unannounced visit and held discussions with External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar on Thursday, May 8. The talks centered on efforts to de-escalate rising tensions between India and Pakistan.
Al-Jubeir’s visit to New Delhi comes at a critical time, as bilateral relations between India and Pakistan have deteriorated further following India’s recent military strikes.
In a parallel diplomatic development, Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi also arrived in New Delhi around midnight on a previously scheduled visit. His arrival coincides with the heightened regional instability stemming from the India-Pakistan confrontation.
Araghchi is expected to hold extensive discussions with External Affairs Minister Jaishankar, focusing on regional security and bilateral cooperation. In addition to his official engagements, Araghchi is scheduled to meet President Droupadi Murmu later in the afternoon.
Earlier, India launched a devastating strike on several Pakistani cities, killing at least 31 people, including civilians, and destroying religious sites. The most severe attacks occurred in Muridke and Bahawalpur, intensifying tensions between the two nuclear-armed neighbors and sparking fears of a broader conflict.