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India, Arab League Strengthen Ties as Jaishankar Meets Secretary General

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar met with League of Arab States Secretary General Ahmed Aboul Gheit in New Delhi to discuss strengthening bilateral cooperation. The talks precede the second India-Arab Foreign Ministers' Meeting, hosted jointly by India and the UAE. This high-level engagement aims to build on existing partnerships across sectors like economy, energy, and culture. The meeting marks a significant step in the institutional dialogue formalized between India and the Arab League over two decades ago.

Key Points: Jaishankar, Arab League Chief Discuss Regional Cooperation

  • High-level talks in New Delhi
  • Focus on expanding multi-sector cooperation
  • 2nd India-Arab Foreign Ministers' Meeting set for Jan 31
  • Partnership formalized in 2002
  • India is an Observer to the Arab League
2 min read

EAM Jaishankar, Arab League chief discuss strengthening cooperation

EAM S Jaishankar meets Arab League's Ahmed Aboul Gheit in Delhi to strengthen India-Arab partnership ahead of key foreign ministers' meeting.

"Had a wide ranging conversation about our cooperation and strengthening it across various domains. - S Jaishankar"

New Delhi, Jan 30

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar met League of Arab States Secretary General Ahmed Aboul Gheit in New Delhi on Friday to discuss strengthening cooperation between the two sides across various sectors.

Following their talks, EAM Jaishankar in a post on X, wrote, "A warm meeting with Secretary General, League of Arab States Ahmed Aboul Gheit this morning. Had a wide ranging conversation about our cooperation and strengthening it across various domains. Also exchanged views on the recent developments in the region."

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 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.

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

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

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 the League of Arab States (LAS) signed an MoU institutionalising the process of dialogue," the MEA stated.

"A Memorandum of Cooperation was signed for the establishment of the 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 organisation. 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

S
Sarah B
As someone who has lived in the UAE, I've seen firsthand how strong India-Arab relations benefit people on both sides. More cultural exchanges and easier travel would be wonderful outcomes from this partnership.
A
Arjun K
Good to see this engagement after 10 years! The five verticals - economy, energy, education, media, culture - are spot on. We need to focus on technology and startup collaboration too. The Arab world is investing heavily in diversification, and India can be a key partner.
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Priya S
While the diplomatic talks are important, I hope they also discuss the welfare and rights of Indian migrant workers. Sometimes the grand vision doesn't trickle down to the ground reality for our people working there.
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Vikram M
Jaishankar ji is doing excellent work on the global stage. Hosting such a high-level meeting shows India's growing diplomatic heft. The Arab League represents a huge market and a vital region for our national interests. Bas, ab action plan chahiye!
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Karthik V
The timing is interesting with all the recent developments in the region mentioned. Hope India can play a constructive role in promoting stability. Our relationship with the Arab world is historic and should be a force for peace and shared prosperity.

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