Jaishankar Arrives in Riyadh for Inaugural India-GCC Foreign Ministers’ Meeting

External Affairs minister S. jaishankar arrived in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on sunday for the first-ever India-Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Foreign Ministers’ Meeting. This visit marks the beginning of a significant diplomatic engagement aimed at strengthening ties between india and the gulf region.

Upon arrival, jaishankar was received by Saudi Arabia’s Deputy minister for Protocol Affairs, Abdulmajeed Al Smari. Expressing his appreciation for the warm reception, jaishankar took to X  to announce his arrival and thank his hosts.

Jaishankar’s visit to Riyadh is part of a three-nation tour, which also includes stops in germany and Switzerland. During his time in Riyadh, jaishankar is set to hold bilateral meetings with foreign ministers from the GCC member countries. The focus of these discussions will be on enhancing cooperation and deepening institutional ties across various sectors.

The GCC, which includes the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Qatar, and Kuwait, is a vital trading partner for India. In the fiscal year 2022-23, India’s trade with GCC countries amounted to USD 184.46 billion. Additionally, the GCC region is home to a significant indian expatriate community, numbering approximately 8.9 million.

The India-GCC Foreign Ministers’ Meeting is expected to provide a platform for reviewing and advancing cooperation between india and the GCC countries.

Jaishankar to Address UN General Assembly

In related news, jaishankar is also scheduled to address the General Debate of the 79th session of the United Nations General assembly (UNGA) on september 28. This role was initially planned for prime minister Narendra Modi. However, according to the latest provisional list released by the UN, jaishankar will now take the stage on september 28.

Prime minister Modi will be traveling to New York later this month to participate in a major community event on september 22 at the Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum in Long Island, and will also address the UN’s “Summit of the Future” at the UN headquarters on september 22 and 23.

This change in schedule highlights the dynamic nature of international diplomacy and the importance of high-level engagements in both bilateral and multilateral forums.
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Balasahana Suresh

08/09/2024 07:45 PM