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India Hosts Arab League For Key Talks On Regional Security & Economic Ties

External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar met with Arab League Secretary General Ahmed Aboul Gheit ahead of the India-Arab Foreign Ministers' Meeting in New Delhi. The ministers discussed strengthening bilateral cooperation across various domains and exchanged views on recent regional developments. India is hosting the second such ministerial meeting, which is the highest institutional mechanism of the partnership, after a gap of ten years. The meeting will see participation from all 22 Arab League member states, aiming to deepen partnerships in economy, energy, education, media, and culture.

Key Points: India-Arab Foreign Ministers Meet in Delhi After 10-Year Gap

  • Focus on economic & energy partnerships
  • Discussions on recent regional developments
  • First IAFMM hosted by India in Delhi
  • Meeting after a 10-year hiatus
  • Cooperation across five priority verticals
2 min read

EAM Jaishankar meets Arab League Secretary General Ahmed Aboul Gheit ahead of IAFMM in New Delhi

EAM Jaishankar meets Arab League chief ahead of key ministerial meeting in New Delhi, focusing on cooperation in economy, energy, and security.

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

New Delhi, January 30

External Affairs Minister met with Secretary General, League of Arab States, Ahmed Aboul Gheit on Friday as he arrived in India to participate in the India-Arab Foreign Ministers' Meeting.

The held discussions on "cooperation" and "strengthening it across various domains."

In a post on X, Jaishakar 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."

The meeting comes amid growing diplomatic efforts to strengthen India-Arab relations, with a focus on economic, energy, and security partnerships.

India will host the 2nd India-Arab Foreign Ministers' Meeting (IAFMM) on Saturday.

The meeting will be co-chaired by India and the UAE. Foreign Ministers of other Arab League Member States and the Arab League Secretary General will participate in the 2nd India-Arab Foreign Ministers' Meeting, according to a press release from the Ministry of External Affairs.

According to the release, the Foreign Ministers' meeting is taking place after a 10-year hiatus.

The first meeting was held in 2016 in Bahrain. At the first FMM, the Ministers identified five priority verticals of cooperation: economy, energy, education, media and culture and proposed a set of activities across these verticals.

The 2nd India-Arab FMM is expected to build on the existing cooperation, expanding and deepening the partnership.

The 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.

A Memorandum of Cooperation was signed to establish the Arab-India Cooperation Forum during the visit of the then Arab League Secretary General Amre Moussa to India in December 2008, and was subsequently revised in 2013 to reflect a revised structural organisation. India is an Observer to the League of Arab States, a pan Arab body with 22 member States.

As per the release, this is the first India-Arab FMM to be hosted by India in New Delhi and will see participation by all 22 Arab countries by Foreign Ministers, other Ministers, Ministers of State and other Senior Officials and the Arab League. The IAFMM will be preceded by the 4th India-Arab Senior Officials' Meeting on Friday.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

S
Sarah B
Good to see India taking a more proactive role in West Asian diplomacy. The 10-year gap between meetings is surprising though. Hope this becomes a regular, annual event to maintain momentum.
P
Priya S
Excellent! Beyond oil and gas, cooperation in education, media, and culture is so important. Our universities should have more exchange programs with Arab nations. The historical and civilizational links are deep.
V
Vikram M
With all 22 countries participating, this is a big deal. Jaishankar sir is doing a great job. Focus should also be on ensuring the safety and rights of our diaspora there. Jai Hind!
R
Rohit P
Hope the "recent developments in the region" were discussed frankly. India needs to maintain its balanced stance but also protect its core interests. Strategic autonomy is key.
K
Kavya N
As a respectful criticism, I wish there was more public transparency about the actual agenda and expected deliverables. These high-level meetings are good, but we common citizens want to know what tangible benefits will come for India.
M
Michael C
The economic potential is huge. From food security to technology partnerships, there's so much scope. Hope they also talk about easier travel and tourism between our regions.

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

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