Riyadh

Amid the ongoing tensions in the West Asia, National Security Advisor Ajit Doval paid a visit to Riyadh where he held talks with Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Minister, Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud, and Energy Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman, on Sunday.

The visit assumes significant in view of the global oil supply fluctuations as a result of Iran blocking the Strait of Hormuz and India trying to diversify its energy portfolio.

Doval, who holds the status of a cabinet minister, also held a meeting with his Saudi Dr Musaed Al-Aiban. The exchanges were about bilateral relations, cooperation in the energy sector and regional developments.

The Indian Embassy in Riyadh posted pictures of NSA Doval’s visit and meetings with the Saudi leaders on X:

Hon'ble NSA Shri Ajit Doval paid an official visit to Riyadh on April 19.

He was received at the Airport by Ambassador Dr Suhel Khan and Deputy Minister for Political Affairs @KSAmofaEN H.E. Ambassador Dr. Saud Al-Sati.

Later, he had meetings with
Energy Minister H.R.H. Prince… pic.twitter.com/VTz7LJAOFu

— India in Saudi Arabia (@IndianEmbRiyadh) April 19, 2026

Earlier on Friday, in a key high-level diplomatic interaction, Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine Rustam Umarov held extensive talks with NSA Doval.

The meeting took place against the backdrop of the protracted Russia-Ukraine conflict and provided an opportunity for the two countries to review bilateral cooperation and discuss key geopolitical issues.

According to External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal, the meeting highlighted the ongoing security and strategic engagement between New Delhi and Kiev, with an emphasis on maintaining dialogue amid the protracted war in Eastern Europe.

In a post on social media platform X, Jaiswal said that Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine Rustam Umarov met with the NSA on April 17, 2026.

Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine Mr. Rustem Umerov met NSA on 17 April 2026.

The two sides reviewed bilateral relations and discussed the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict. NSA reiterated India’s principled position and focus on peaceful… pic.twitter.com/lEBQpzwCnB

— Randhir Jaiswal (@MEAIndia) April 17, 2026

He added that the two sides reviewed bilateral relations and discussed the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict. The NSA reiterated India's principled position on peaceful resolution through dialogue and diplomacy.

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During the talks, the two sides also reviewed the broader geopolitical situation arising from the conflict and its implications for global security, energy supply and food security, which has now entered its fourth year.