Jaishankar Attends First India-GCC Foreign Ministers' Meeting in Riyadh

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar arrived in Riyadh for a two-day visit to attend the inaugural India-Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) foreign ministers' meeting. This visit marks the beginning of his three-nation tour, which includes Germany and Switzerland. The meeting aims to deepen India's multifaceted relationship with the GCC.

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar arrived in Riyadh on Sunday for a two-day visit to attend the first-ever India-Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) foreign ministers' meeting.

This visit kicks off Jaishankar's three-nation tour, which will also include trips to Germany and Switzerland.

'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,' Jaishankar announced in a social media post.

The GCC, an influential bloc comprising the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Qatar, and Kuwait, saw its trade with India reach USD 184.46 billion in the financial year 2022-23.

During his stay in Riyadh, Jaishankar is scheduled to hold bilateral meetings with foreign ministers from several GCC member countries.

Ahead of the visit, the Ministry of External Affairs in New Delhi highlighted the deep and multifaceted relationship between India and the GCC, including areas of trade, investment, energy, and cultural ties.

'The GCC region has become a major trading partner for India and is home to a large Indian expatriate community, numbering around 8.9 million,' the ministry stated.

The meeting will provide an opportunity to review and enhance institutional cooperation between India and the GCC across various sectors.

(With inputs from agencies.)