Holy City, Unholy Drone, India Condemns Houthi Attack Near Mecca

India has expressed deep concern over an attempted drone attack near the holy city of Makkah (Mecca) in Saudi Arabia, calling for the early restoration of peace and stability in West Asia. The statement came after Saudi authorities reported that a drone allegedly sent by Houthi militants was intercepted and destroyed on Tuesday evening. According to Saudi officials, the drone was stopped before it could enter Mecca prohibited airspace. The Houthi, however, denied targeting Mecca or any Islamic holy site, adding another layer of uncertainty to an incident that has heightened regional tensions. India Condemns Attacks on Saudi Territory On Wednesday, Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said India was deeply concerned about the reported drone attack near Mecca. We are deeply concerned at the drone attack near Makkah. India reiterates its condemnation of attacks on the sovereign territory of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and of actions that endanger civilian lives and infrastructure, Jaiswal said. He added that the incident was particularly concerning because of Mecca special significance to Muslims across the world. India also called for the early restoration of peace and stability in the region, as tensions continue to affect security, infrastructure and international shipping routes. New Delhi Raises Concerns Over Regional Security India latest statement followed its earlier condemnation of Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia civilian infrastructure and economic assets. New Delhi warned that such strikes undermine regional stability and threaten freedom of navigation through the Bab-el-Mandeb Strait, a strategically important shipping route connecting the Red Sea with the Gulf of Aden. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar had also discussed the latest developments in West Asia with Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud during a meeting on the sidelines of the BRICS summit on Sunday. According to the MEA, the Houthi issue was among the matters discussed during the meeting. Oil Infrastructure and Shipping Concerns The reported attack near Mecca comes amid broader regional tensions involving the Houthis, who operate primarily from Yemen. Earlier, the Iran backed militant group had attacked Saudi Arabia East-West oil pipeline, a key route for transporting crude oil across the kingdom. The pipeline has assumed greater importance after the conflict involving Iran disrupted shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, making alternative routes increasingly significant for Saudi oil exports. India has also expressed concern that attack on regional infrastructure and shipping route could affect energy security and international trade. Jaiswal said India continued to receive energy supplies from the region while reiterating its call for peace and stability. A Sensitive Incident Amid Wider Tensions The reported drone interception near Mecca has drawn particular attention because of the city religious significance to Muslims world wide. While Saudi authorities said the drone was intercepted, the Houthis denied that Mecca or any Islamic holy site was the intended target. Further details about the incident and the circumstances surrounding the alleged attack remain central to understanding the competing claims. India response reflects its stated concerns over Saudi Arabia sovereignty, civilian safety, regional stability and freedom of navigation. As tensions continue across West Asia, New Delhi has called for an early restoration of peace, with the security of civilian infrastructure and international shipping remaining key concerns.