The Impressive TimesRiyadh, September 8, 2024: External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar arrived in Riyadh on Sunday to participate in the inaugural India-Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Foreign Ministers’ Meeting. The meeting marks a significant milestone in India’s engagement with the Gulf region and is part of Jaishankar’s broader six-day visit to Saudi Arabia, Germany, and Switzerland aimed at strengthening bilateral ties and addressing key regional and global challenges. Upon his arrival in Riyadh, Jaishankar was warmly welcomed by Abdulmajeed Al Smari, Saudi Arabia’s Deputy Minister for Protocol Affairs. Expressing his gratitude on social media, the minister posted on X (formerly Twitter), “Arrived in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia to take part in the First India-Gulf Cooperation Council Foreign Ministers’ Meeting. ” The two-day visit to Riyadh will primarily focus on Jaishankar’s participation in the historic India-GCC Foreign Ministers’ Meeting. The GCC, an influential regional grouping, consists of six member states—Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Oman, Qatar, and Kuwait. India’s trade relations with the GCC are significant, with the total trade volume reaching USD 184.46 billion in the financial year 2022-23. Additionally, around 8.9 million Indians reside in the Gulf region, further cementing strong people-to-people ties.
According to a statement from the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), the meeting will serve as a platform to deepen cooperation between India and the GCC across multiple sectors, including trade, investment, energy, and cultural exchanges. Jaishankar is also expected to hold bilateral discussions with foreign ministers from several GCC member nations during his stay, focusing on enhancing collaboration and addressing mutual concerns. “The GCC region has emerged as an important trading partner for India and is home to a sizable Indian expatriate community. According to the MEA, this meeting will serve as a chance to assess and enhance institutional cooperation between India and the GCC.”
Jaishankar’s visit to Saudi Arabia is the first leg of his tour, which will continue to Germany and Switzerland. In addition to his participation in the GCC meeting, Jaishankar will address the General Debate of the 79th session of the UN General Assembly (UNGA) on September 28 in New York. Initially, Prime Minister Narendra Modi was slated to deliver the speech on September 26, but according to a revised provisional list from the UN, Jaishankar will now represent India at the General Assembly. PM Modi, however, is still expected to attend the UN’s “Summit of the Future” on September 22-23, alongside participating in a major community event at the Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum in Long Island on September 22.
Jaishankar’s participation in the India-GCC meeting and his upcoming UNGA address highlight India’s growing diplomatic engagement on both regional and global platforms, as it seeks to deepen ties with key partners and address pressing international challenges.
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