Jaishankar Arrives In Riyadh For First India-GCC Foreign Ministers' Meeting

External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar on Sunday arrived in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, to participate in the inaugural India-Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Foreign Ministers’ Meeting.

Upon arrival, Jaishankar, who is on a two-day visit, was welcomed by Saudi Arabia’s Deputy Minister for Protocol Affairs, Abdulmajeed Al Smari. In a post on X, Jaishankar expressed his gratitude for the reception, stating, “Arrived in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia to take part in the First India – Gulf Cooperation Council Foreign Ministers’ Meeting.”

“Thank Abdulmajeed Al Smari, Deputy Minister for Protocol Affairs for the warm reception,” he added.

Jaishankar is in the Saudi capital for the first leg of his three-nation tour, which will also include Germany and Switzerland.

During his visit, Jaishankar is expected to engage in bilateral meetings with foreign ministers from the GCC member countries. These discussions aim to enhance cooperation and deepen ties between India and the Gulf region, according to a Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) release.

“The GCC region has emerged as a major trading partner for India and is home to a large Indian expatriate community, numbering around 8.9 million. The Foreign Ministers meeting will be an opportunity to review and deepen institutional cooperation between India and the GCC across various sectors,” an MEA release had stated.

The GCC is an influential grouping comprising the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Qatar and Kuwait. In the financial year 2022-23, India’s trade with GCC countries reached a total of USD 184.46 billion.

Jaishankar To Deliver UNGA Speech On September 28

Additionally, Jaishankar is expected to address the General Debate of the 79th session of the UN General Assembly (UNGA) on September 28. This was initially slated to be addressed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

The provisional list issued by the UN in July had indicated that PM Modi would speak at the General Debate on September 26. However, the latest revision now lists EAM Jaishankar as the speaker.

According to the revised provisional list of speakers released by the UN, PM Modi is scheduled to travel to New York later this month to participate in a major community event on September 22 at the 16,000-seat Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum in Long Island. He will also address the UN’s “Summit of the Future,” which will be held at the UN headquarters on September 22 and 23.

(With inputs from agencies)