New Delhi became the epicenter of India-Arab diplomacy on Thursday with the arrival of League of Arab States Secretary General Ahmed Abul Gheit for the second India-Arab Foreign Ministers’ Meeting. The Ministry of External Affairs’ cordial welcome to the influential diplomat from Egypt emphasized the partnership’s strategic importance.
MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal announced on X, ‘Honored to host the Secretary General of the League of Arab States, Ahmed Abul Gheit, in New Delhi for the 2nd India-Arab Foreign Ministers’ Meeting and related consultations. These two-day high-level interactions affirm our shared vision for a comprehensive India-Arab collaboration.’
Joining the fray were foreign ministers from Comoros (Mbè Mohamed), Palestine (Warsean Agha Bekian Shahin), and Sudan (Mohieldin Salim Ahmed Ibrahim), ensuring a representative Arab presence.
This platform, kickstarted by a 2002 India-LAS MoU, solidified institutional ties. The 2008 visit by then-Secretary General Amre Moussa led to the Arab-India Cooperation Forum MoU, reorganized in 2013 for optimal functioning. India’s observer status in the 22-state LAS facilitates nuanced engagement.
The summit’s agenda spans energy cooperation, digital economy, health initiatives, and countering extremism. In an era of flux, it positions India and Arab states to harness synergies in innovation, logistics, and human capital. Expect declarations on trade targets, joint ventures, and cultural initiatives that will echo long-term, fortifying a relationship destined to shape global narratives.