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Qatar Minister Arrives for Key India-Arab Foreign Ministers' Meeting in Delhi

Qatar's Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Sultan bin Saad Al Muraikhi, has arrived in New Delhi to attend the 2nd India-Arab Foreign Ministers' Meeting. The high-level gathering, co-chaired by India and the UAE, aims to deepen strategic partnerships with a focus on economy, energy, and security. This marks the first time India is hosting this meeting, which sees participation from all 22 Arab League member states after a decade-long hiatus. The forum is the highest institutional mechanism driving the partnership, which was formalized over two decades ago.

Key Points: India Hosts 2nd India-Arab Foreign Ministers' Meeting

  • Focus on economic & energy partnerships
  • First meeting in India after 10-year hiatus
  • Participation from all 22 Arab states
  • Building on five priority cooperation areas
  • Institutional dialogue formalized in 2002
2 min read

Qatar's MoS for Foreign Affairs arrives in New Delhi for 2nd India-Arab Foreign Ministers' meeting

Qatar's Minister of State for Foreign Affairs arrives in New Delhi for the 2nd India-Arab Foreign Ministers' meeting to strengthen strategic ties.

"His visit will further strengthen the strategic partnership between two countries. - Randhir Jaiswal"

New Delhi, January 30

Qatar's Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Sultan bin Saad Al Muraikhi, on Friday, arrived in New Delhi for the 2nd India-Arab Foreign Ministers' meeting.

His visit aims to strengthen the strategic partnership between Qatar and India, with a focus on shared interests and cooperation.

In a post on X, Spokesperson of the Ministry of External Affairs, Randhir Jaiswal said, "Warm welcome to H.E. Sultan bin Saad Al Muraikhi, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs of the State of Qatar on his arrival in New Delhi to attend the 2nd India-Arab Foreign Ministers' meeting. His visit will further strengthen the strategic partnership between two countries."

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

P
Priya S
Good to see such high-level engagement after a 10-year gap! The focus on education and culture is especially welcome. More student exchanges and cultural programs can build lasting people-to-people connections beyond just government talks.
R
Rohit P
While the diplomatic optics are good, I hope our government is also firmly discussing the welfare and rights of the huge Indian diaspora working in these countries. That should be a non-negotiable part of any "strategic partnership".
S
Sarah B
Interesting to see the UAE co-chairing. The India-UAE relationship has been on a real upswing. If they can help bridge connections with the wider Arab League, that's smart diplomacy. The economic potential here is massive.
V
Vikram M
Jai Hind! Hosting all 22 nations in Delhi is a big deal. Shows India's growing stature on the world stage. Let's hope for good outcomes on security cooperation as well, which is vital for regional stability.
K
Karthik V
The article mentions media as a priority. I sincerely hope this means more balanced coverage and countering misinformation. The narrative about India in some international media needs correction, and partners can help.

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

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