British officials held separate diplomatic talks with Gulf and Indian leaders to ease Middle East tensions and protect shipping through the Strait of Hormuz.
British Secretary of State Ed Miliband met UAE Deputy Prime Minister Abdullah bin Zayed, discussing the regional situation and "protecting freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz," according to a post on X by Miliband. He said the UK-UAE partnership would be strengthened to drive growth and prosperity in both countries.
Separately, UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham spoke by phone with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in their first call. The leaders discussed artificial intelligence, defence, and the Strait of Hormuz. No further details about the call were released.