External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Thursday (January 11) discussed the “United States and India’s shared concerns over the reckless Houthi attacks in the southern Red Sea and Gulf of Aden, which threaten the free flow of commerce, endanger innocent mariners, and violate international law”.

The US has welcomed the “increased cooperation” with India in defending freedom of navigation in the Red Sea as the two countries discussed “shared concerns” over the reckless Houthi attacks in the region.

In the latest naval engagement, the Houthis on Tuesday launched 21 missiles and drones in the southern part of the Red Sea, prompting the US and British navies to shoot down the projectiles but no damage was reported, according to the US military’s Central Command. The assault happened off the Yemeni port cities of Hodeida and Mokha, according to the private intelligence firm Ambrey.