Blitz Bureau
NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on January 31 received a delegation of foreign ministers from Arab countries, along with the Secretary General of the League of Arab States and heads of Arab delegations, who are in India to participate in the second India-Arab Foreign Ministers’ Meeting.
During the interaction, PM Modi highlighted the deep and historic people-to-people ties between India and the Arab world, noting that these enduring connections have continued to inspire and strengthen bilateral relations over the years.
Outlining his vision for the India-Arab partnership in the coming years, the Prime Minister reaffirmed India’s commitment to further deepen cooperation across key sectors, including trade and investment, energy, technology, healthcare, and other priority areas, for the mutual benefit of the people of both regions. He also reiterated India’s continued support for the people of Palestine and welcomed ongoing peace efforts, including the Gaza peace plan. He conveyed his appreciation for the important role played by the Arab League in supporting initiatives aimed at promoting regional peace and stability.
Strategic partnership
The meeting underscored India’s growing engagement with the Arab world and its emphasis on strategic partnership, economic collaboration, and shared regional concerns.
External Affairs Minister (EAM) S Jaishankar also met League of Arab States Secretary General Ahmed Aboul Gheit in New Delhi on January 30 and discussed strengthening cooperation between the two sides across various sectors. In a post on X, Jaishankar wrote, “A warm meeting with Secretary General, League of Arab States Ahmed Aboul Gheit. Had a wide- ranging conversation about our cooperation and strengthening it across various domains. Also exchanged views on the recent developments in the region.”
He also met Palestine’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates Varsen Aghabekian and discussed development cooperation, the Gaza Peace plan, and regional developments. “Glad to meet Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates of State of Palestine Varsen Aghabekian. Exchanged views on the Gaza Peace Plan and regional developments. Reviewed our development cooperation and agreed on initiatives to take it forward”, EAM Jaishankar wrote in a post on X after the meeting.
Key issues
Jaishankar also met Oman’s Foreign Minister Badr Albusaidi, where both sides discussed key issues including trade, critical minerals and regional developments, underscoring the depth of India-Oman Strategic Partnership. Taking to the social media platform X, EAM said, “A pleasure interacting with FM Badr Albusaidi of Oman. Our discussions on trade, critical minerals and regional developments reflected the trust and comfort of our Strategic Partnership.”
