External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar met with Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud and Qatar’s Prime Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani during his visit to the Gulf region. The meetings, held on Monday, focused on evaluating the progress of bilateral relations and exploring avenues to enhance cooperation further.
Jaishankar, who arrived in Riyadh on Sunday for a two-day visit, is attending the inaugural India-Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) foreign ministers’ meeting. His discussions with Saudi Arabia’s top diplomat, Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud, centered on the advancements in the bilateral relationship and perspectives on global and regional issues.
In a post on X, Jaishankar expressed his satisfaction with the meeting, stating, “Delighted to meet FM @FaisalbinFarhan of Saudi Arabia today in Riyadh. Took stock of the progress in our bilateral relationship and shared perspectives on global and regional issues. Look forward to welcoming him in India.”
Jaishankar also met Qatar’s Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani. The discussions with Al Thani aimed at advancing India-Qatar bilateral ties and included insights into regional developments. Jaishankar tweeted, “Began the day with a good meeting with PM & FM of Qatar @MBA_AlThani_. Discussed taking India-Qatar bilateral ties forward. Appreciated his insights and assessments on regional developments.”
During his visit to Riyadh, Jaishankar is expected to hold additional bilateral meetings with foreign ministers from other GCC member states. The GCC, a key regional bloc, includes the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Qatar, and Kuwait. India’s trade with GCC countries reached USD 184.46 billion in the financial year 2022-23, underscoring the significance of the relationship.
Sources By Agencies
