Russia records 22,010 covid cases in past 24 hours

He highlighted India's role as a "first responder" for the Maldives, emphasising that India's support during critical periods has been fundamental to the stability and security of the island nation.

Gobind Gurbani, speaking through video conference, drew attention to the growing gap between the number of patients requiring organ transplants and the limited availability of donated organs.

Russian Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Maria Zakharova condemned a drone strike on the commercial vessel Arctic Metagaz in the Mediterranean. Calling it "a terrorist attack & a war crime," she detailed the crew's rescue after a gas explosion, criticised Malta's refusal to assist the injured, and denounced the European silence.

An Indian crew member was killed after the US-owned tanker Safesea Vishnu was attacked near Basra, Iraq, on March 11. The Indian Embassy in Baghdad confirmed that 15 other Indian sailors were successfully evacuated and are receiving assistance as regional maritime tensions continue to escalate.

The UN Security Council has adopted a resolution condemning Iran's "egregious attacks" against regional neighbours, demanding an immediate halt to hostilities and interference with maritime trade. While 13 members voted in favour, Russia and China abstained, with Tehran dismissing the move as a "manifest injustice" and a "serious setback."

Saudi Arabia intercepted multiple drones targeting the "Shaybah oil field" as regional tensions soar. Amid the conflict, Russia and Saudi Arabia "emphasised the need" for international efforts to prevent escalation. Meanwhile, the US warned Russia not to intervene, despite Trump and Putin discussing "opportunity for some peace" in Ukraine.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov held a telephonic conversation with Foreign Minister of Saudi Arabia Faisal bin Farhan on the need to make efforts to prevent further escalation of the Middle East crisis.

The European Union on Wednesday moved to intensify pressure on Tehran amid the conflict in West Asia by approving new sanctions targeting 19 Iranian regime officials and entities accused of serious human rights violations.

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Wednesday held a telephonic conversation with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, during which both leaders exchanged assessments on the ongoing conflict in West Asia and reviewed related diplomatic efforts, the Ministry of External Affairs said.

The Spokesperson of the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), Randhir Jasiwal, on Wednesday confirmed that the two Indian nationals have lost their lives and one still remains missing amid the ongoing West Asian conflict.