On January 31, New Delhi will host the second meeting of the foreign ministers of India and Arab countries, which will take place after a ten-year break. This event aims to deepen and expand cooperation between India and the Arab world, reports News18.com
This event, known as the India-Arab Foreign Ministers' Meeting (IAFMM), will be co-chaired by representatives from India and the United Arab Emirates. It will involve the foreign ministers of the member states of the Arab League, as well as the Secretary-General of the Arab League, according to the Indian Ministry of External Affairs.
This meeting will be the first since 2016, when the first IAFMM was held in Bahrain. At that time, participants identified five key areas for cooperation: economy, energy, education, media, and culture, proposing specific formats for interaction in these areas. The upcoming meeting is expected to continue the development of previously reached agreements and deepen existing ties.
The IAFMM serves as an important mechanism for India's engagement with Arab countries. The formalization of this dialogue occurred in March 2002, when a memorandum of understanding was signed between India and the Arab League. In 2008, the Arab-Indian Cooperation Forum was established, and in 2013, its structure underwent updates. India acts as an observer at the Arab League, which unites 22 states.
As emphasized by the Ministry of External Affairs, this meeting will be the first to take place on Indian soil. Representatives from all 22 Arab states are expected to participate in New Delhi, including foreign ministers and high-ranking officials, as well as representatives of the Arab League. Ahead of this event, the fourth meeting of senior officials from India and Arab countries will take place.
Indian Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal noted the arrival of the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of Sudan, Muhiddin Salim Ahmed Ibrahim, as well as the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriate Affairs of the State of Palestine, Varseen Aghabekyan Shahin. He emphasized that the participation of these delegations reflects the desire to strengthen India’s partnership with the Arab world and develop ties between the peoples.
