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Arab League Chief in Delhi for Key India-Arab Partnership Talks

Arab League Secretary General Ahmed Aboul Gheit has arrived in New Delhi to attend the second India-Arab Foreign Ministers' Meeting, a key institutional dialogue. The meeting, co-hosted by India and the UAE, aims to build on existing cooperation across five priority areas including economy and energy. This high-level gathering is the first of its kind in a decade, following the inaugural meeting in Bahrain in 2016. India holds Observer status in the League of Arab States, formalizing a partnership that began with an MoU in 2002.

Key Points: India Hosts Arab League for Crucial Foreign Ministers Meeting

  • Arab League chief's Delhi visit
  • 2nd India-Arab Foreign Ministers' Meeting
  • Partnership across economy, energy, education
  • First meeting in a decade
  • Observer status in Arab League
2 min read

Arab League chief arrives in New Delhi for crucial India-Arab Foreign Ministers meeting

Arab League Secretary General Ahmed Aboul Gheit arrives in New Delhi for high-level talks to strengthen India-Arab partnership across key sectors.

"High level engagements over the next two days reflect the shared commitment for a stronger India-Arab partnership across sectors. - Randhir Jaiswal"

New Delhi, Jan 29

League of Arab States Secretary General Ahmed Aboul Gheit arrived in New Delhi on Thursday to attend the second India-Arab Foreign Ministers' and related meetings.

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) extended a warm welcome to the Gheit, an Egyptian politician and diplomat.

"Pleased to welcome H.E. Ahmed Aboul Gheit, Secretary General of the League of Arab States, who arrived in New Delhi for the 2nd India-Arab Foreign Ministers' and related meetings. High level engagements over the next two days reflect the shared commitment for a stronger India-Arab partnership across sectors," MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal posted on X.

Earlier in the day, Comoros Foreign Minister Mbae Mohamed, Palestine Foreign Minister Varsen Aghabekian Shahin and Sudan's Mohieldin Salim Ahmed Ibrahim also arrived in New Delhi to attend the second India-Arab Foreign Ministers Meeting.

India is set to host the 2nd India-Arab Foreign Ministers' Meeting (IAFMM) on January 31. The meeting being hosted by India and United Arab Emirates will have participation of Foreign Ministers of other Arab League Member States and Arab League Secretary General.

The IAFMM will be preceded by 4th India-Arab Senior Officials' Meeting on Friday.

The second India-Arab Foreign Ministers Meeting is expected to build on existing cooperation and expanding the partnership. The IAFMM will be preceded by 4th India-Arab Senior Officials' Meeting on January 30.

The Foreign Ministers' meeting is taking place after 10 years as the first meeting was held in Bahrain in 2016. During the first Foreign Ministers Meeting, the leaders identified five priority verticals of cooperation - economy, energy, education, media and culture and proposed a set of activities across these verticals.

"India Arab Foreign Ministers' Meeting is the highest institutional mechanism driving this partnership, which was formalised in March 2002 when India and League of Arab States (LAS) signed an MoU institutionalizing the process of dialogue," the MEA stated.

"A Memorandum of Cooperation was signed for the establishment of Arab-India Cooperation Forum during the visit of the then Arab League Secretary General Amre Moussa to India in December 2008, which was subsequently revised in 2013 in terms of structural organization. India is an Observer to the League of Arab States, a pan Arab body with 22 member States," it added.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

P
Priya S
Good to see India hosting such an important meeting. The focus on economy, energy, and education is spot on. I hope they also discuss cultural exchanges more deeply – there's so much shared history between India and the Arab world that we can build upon.
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Rohit P
While the optics are good, I hope our diplomats are pushing hard on issues that matter to common Indians: easier visa processes, protection of workers' rights in Gulf countries, and reducing our trade deficit. Meetings after 10 years should deliver more than just statements.
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Meera T
Seeing the Palestinian FM's name is significant. India has always walked a careful diplomatic line in West Asia. This forum is a good place to advocate for peace and dialogue. Jai Hind.
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David E
Interesting to see the UAE co-hosting. The India-UAE relationship has become a real success story in recent years. If that model can be expanded to the entire Arab League, it would be a massive win for regional stability and prosperity.
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Siddharth J
The 10-year gap between meetings is too long for such an important partnership. Hope this becomes a regular, annual event. Our ties with the Arab world are multifaceted – from oil and remittances to security and counter-terrorism. Needs constant nurturing.

We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.

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