S Jaishankar Highlights Key Pillars of India-GCC Partnership at Riyadh Meeting

Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, September 9: External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar outlined the four key pillars that enhance the India-GCC (Gulf Cooperation Council) partnership: people, prosperity, progress, and security. Jaishankar addressed the inaugural India-GCC Joint Ministerial Meeting for Strategic Dialogue on Monday.

Sharing a post on X, Jaishankar wrote, “Co-chaired the inaugural India – Gulf Cooperation Council Joint Ministerial Meeting for Strategic Dialogue in Riyadh.”

Elaborating on the key pillars, Jaishankar wrote, “People: The 9 million-strong Indian community serves as the bedrock of our friendship. Appreciate efforts for their welfare and comfort; Prosperity: domains of energy, trade, investment, connectivity and technology constitute a unique bond. Our many complementarities and convergence help take it forward. Urged early conclusion of India – GCC FTA.”

Highlighting progress, Jaishankar underscored the advances made in India-GCC partnerships in various sectors, and wrote, “Progress: explored together new partnerships in renewables, innovation, education, health and space; Security: strengthen exchanges, exercises and industry collaboration in defence.”

The meeting also adopted a Joint Action Plan 2024-2028 for undertaking various joint activities in diverse areas, including health, trade, security, agriculture and food security, transportation, energy, and culture. It was also decided that more areas of cooperation can be included in the Joint Action Plan, based on mutual consensus, later on.

Sharing on X, Jaishankar wrote, “Agreed on a comprehensive Joint Action Plan that would provide a pathway for an expanded partnership.”

Jaishankar visited Riyadh from September 8 to 9 to attend the first-ever India-GCC Joint Ministerial Meeting for Strategic Dialogue. He co-chaired the meeting along with Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani, Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Qatar, President of the current session of the GCC Ministerial Council. The meeting was attended by Foreign Ministers of all the GCC countries and Secretary General of the GCC Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi.

Jaishankar and the Foreign Ministers reaffirmed their joint commitment to building on the achievements of this first Ministerial Meeting. Jaishankar highlighted that the GCC as a collective entity has vital significance for India and constitutes the “extended” neighbourhood of India. He thanked the GCC countries for taking care of the large Indian diaspora in their countries.

The leaders undertook a detailed review of India-GCC ties and appreciated the upward trajectory in ties witnessed in the last few years. They emphasised the importance of enhancing cooperation across a wide range of areas.

Jaishankar also underscored the significance of the strategic and growing partnership between the GCC and India. Through collaborative initiatives in trade, investment, infrastructure development, and people-to-people ties, this partnership not only bolsters economic growth within the region and India but also contributes to a more stable and prosperous global economy.

Jaishankar also had separate bilateral meetings with the Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Qatar Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani, Foreign Minister of Saudi Arabia Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud, Foreign Minister of Oman Sayyid Badr bin Hamad bin Hamood Albusaidi, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Kuwait Abdullah Ali Al Yahya, and the Foreign Minister of Bahrain Dr. Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani on the sidelines of the India-GCC Ministerial meeting.