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Informist, Wednesday, Mar. 18, 2026

 

NEW DELHI – In the backdrop of the war in West Asia, US Ambassador to India Sergio Gor Wednesday met National Security Advisor Ajit Doval and discussed "critical security and geopolitical issues".

 

"Just wrapped up an extremely fruitful meeting with National Security Advisor Ajit Doval," Gor said on social media platform X. "Covered critical security and geopolitical issues. Strategic cooperation between the United States and India continues to advance," he added.

 

The meeting assumes significance as both the US and India want Iran's blockade of the Strait of Hormuz to be lifted. India is facing shortage of liquefied petroleum gas, a major share of which it imports from the Gulf countries, as several fuel tankers and merchant ships are stranded in the region. The blockade and the military attacks in the region have sent crude oil prices soaring.

 

Both Prime Minister Narendra Modi and External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar have spoken with Iranian leaders, but apparently there is no assurance from Iran to allow free passage to India-bound fuel tankers.

 

Earlier in the day, the prime minister also spoke with Kuwait's Crown Prince Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Mubarak Al-Sabah. After the call, Modi shared in a post on X that ensuring "safe and free navigation through the Strait of Hormuz remains our foremost priority". He also once again condemned attacks on Kuwait by Iran.

 

India is also in a pact with the US since 2016 -- known as the Logistics Exchange Memorandum of Agreement -- that allows the two navies reciprocal refuelling, supplies, and facility access at designated military bases. The Indian government has denied that it has allowed the US Navy to use Indian ports or naval facilities to stage operations in West Asia.  End

 

Reported by Asim Khan

Edited by Ashish Shirke

 

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