India slams Saudi oil firm hit, reviews Chabahar port work

◗ Speculation is rife that India may have briefed Iran about the developments in Kashmir in the contextof a propaganda war being waged by Pak

India on Monday condemned the drone attack on a Saudi oil field on Saturday, even as New Delhi held foreign office consultations with Iran — Saudi Arabia’s fierce rival — the same day. The consultations with Iran took place during the visit of foreign secretary Vijay Gokhale there during which both New Delhi and Tehran discussed the strategic joint Chabahar port development project in Iran.

Speculation is rife that India may have also briefed Iran about the developments in Kashmir in the contextof a propaganda war being waged by Pakistan globally against India.

In “response to a query on India’s reaction to the drone attacks in Saudi Arabia on September 14, 2019”, MEA spokesperson Raveesh Kumar said, “We condemn the attacks of September 14, 2019 targetting Abqaiq oil processing facility and Khurais oil field in Saudi Arabia.

We reiterate our resolve to oppose terrorism in all its forms and manifestations.”

On foreign policy consultations with Iran that were held by foreign secretary Vijay Gokhale, the MEA said, “The sixteenth round of foreign office consultations between India and Iran were held in Tehran on Monday.

Foreign secretary Vijay Gokhale led the Indian delegation and deputy foreign minister Dr Seyyed Abbas Araghchi led the Iranian side.

Foreign secretary Vijay Gokhale also called on Dr Javad Zarif, minister of foreign affairs of Iran and Dr Ali Akbar Velayati, senior advisor to Supreme Leader.”