External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar arrived in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on September 8, 2024, for the First India-Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Foreign Ministers’ Meeting. Welcomed by Saudi officials, Jaishankar expressed his gratitude for the warm reception. During his two-day visit, he will hold bilateral discussions with foreign ministers from GCC countries, focusing on strengthening the deep-rooted political, trade, and cultural relationships between India and the GCC. Following his time in Riyadh, Jaishankar will travel to Germany for meetings with senior officials to enhance bilateral ties and then head to Geneva to engage with international organizations. This visit highlights India’s commitment to fostering strong connections with key global partners.
External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar has arrived in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, for the First India-Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Foreign Ministers’ Meeting. This visit marks an important step in strengthening India’s ties with GCC nations, which have a deep and multifaceted relationship that encompasses political, economic, and cultural cooperation. Jaishankar was warmly welcomed by Saudi Arabia’s Deputy Minister for Protocol Affairs, Abdulmajeed Al Smari.
In his first post after arriving, Jaishankar expressed gratitude for the reception and highlighted the significance of the meeting. This gathering provides a platform for discussing crucial areas such as trade and investment, energy collaboration, and fostering stronger people-to-people connections. With approximately 8.9 million Indians living in the GCC region, this meeting is essential for both India and the member countries.
After his engagements in Riyadh, Jaishankar plans to visit Germany from September 10-11 for discussions aimed at enhancing the strategic partnership between India and Germany. Following that, he will head to Geneva on September 12-13, where he will meet with representatives from various international organizations and Switzerland’s Foreign Minister to explore further collaboration.
This series of diplomatic visits underscores India’s commitment to strengthening its international relationships and enhances its position on the global stage.
Tags: S. Jaishankar, India-GCC Meeting, Diplomacy, International Relations, Saudi Arabia, Germany, Geneva, External Affairs Ministry, Indian Expatriate Community
What is the purpose of Jaishankar’s visit to Riyadh?
Jaishankar is in Riyadh to attend a meeting of foreign ministers from India and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries.
Who is Jaishankar?
Jaishankar is the External Affairs Minister of India, responsible for managing India’s foreign relations.
What is the GCC?
The Gulf Cooperation Council is a regional grouping of six countries: Saudi Arabia, UAE, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, and Bahrain.
Why is this meeting important?
This meeting is important for strengthening ties between India and GCC countries, focusing on issues like trade, security, and cooperation.
What topics might be discussed at the meeting?
They may discuss trade partnerships, security concerns, economic cooperation, and ways to enhance relations between India and the GCC nations.