Jaishankar Meets Arab, African Counterparts; India Hosts Key Arab Foreign Ministers' Meet

Sharing the details of the meetings in a series of posts on X, he noted that the conversations aimed at advancing bilateral cooperation.

Upon meeting Somalian FM Abdisalam Ali, EAM shared that they discussed trade, capacity building, education, health, consular and multilateral cooperation.

EAM met Libyan Foreign Minister Eltaher S M Elbaour of Libya.

He said on X, "Held productive discussions on advancing our cooperation in trade, business, infrastructure and energy domains. Appreciate his briefing on the situation in Libya. Underscored India's advocacy of dialogue and diplomacy for enduring peace and stability in the region."

During his meeting with Sudan FM Mohieldin Salim Ahmed Ibrahim of Sudan, EAM reiterated India's position for an end to violence in Sudan and return to dialogue.

"Discussed our ongoing humanitarian support and exchanges in education and capacity building. Committed to further activities in that regard", he wrote on X.

Upon meeting Palestine FM Varsen Aghabekian Shahin, EAM exchanged views on the Gaza peace plan and regional developments. The leaders reviewed their development cooperation and agreed on initiatives to take it forward.

He also met Foreign Minister Mbae Mohamed of Comoros and discussed cooperation in health, sports, infrastructure and capacity building.

EAM met Secretary General, League of Arab States Ahmed Aboul Gheit and had a wide ranging conversation about our cooperation and strengthening it across various domains.

Also on Friday, MoS External Affairs Kirti Vardhan Singh inaugurated the India-Arab Countries Chamber of Commerce, Industry, and Agriculture in New Delhi.

He highlighted India's deep civilisational ties with the Arab world, welcomed the robust trade and investment linkages and the huge potential for deepening of economic and commercial linkages across sectors. MoS Singh also congratulated the Chamber wishing it success in further strengthening India-Arab business collaboration.

Speaking to ANI, the Secretary General of the Union of Arab Chambers, Khaled M Hanafy, highlighted that the inclusion of this chamber is a pivotal move intended to deepen and modernise the existing business framework.

By establishing projects within both India and Arab nations, the alliance aims to use these regions as springboards for international exports. This "strategic alliance" model is designed to integrate supply chains and foster joint ventures in sectors like technology, energy, and infrastructure. As the 17th chamber begins its operations, the focus will remain on creating a sustainable economic ecosystem that benefits both regions while expanding their collective footprint in the global marketplace.

Palestine Foreign Minister Varsen Aghabekian Shahin hailed the India-Arab Foreign Ministers' Meeting and called it an important platform to bring together India and the Arab countries on several areas of interest, including the situation in Palestine.

"This is an important forum because it brings India and the Arab countries together, where there will be discussion on areas of interest, one of which would be the situation in Palestine. India is an important player, and we believe that several aspects of that conflict, alongside other important issues, will be discussed around the table", Shahin said.

She further emphasised the importance of India, as it is positioned to bring both India and Palestine together.

"I think India is placed to venture into a role that brings both sides together because it's a friend of Israel, and it's a friend of the Palestinians and it's a believer in international law. That stance is important for moving things in the right direction... Israel is legitimate. It has been recognised by the state of Palestine. Today I want to legitimise Palestine, and India can help in that direction," Shahin said.

The wide-ranging meetings come as India is set to 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