In a boost to South-West Asian diplomacy, League of Arab States Secretary General Ahmed Abul Gheit touched down in New Delhi on Thursday ahead of the landmark second India-Arab Foreign Ministers’ Meeting. The Indian Ministry of External Affairs rolled out the red carpet for the prominent Egyptian figure, signaling robust goodwill and collaborative intent.
Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal captured the moment on X: ‘Thrilled to greet LAS Secretary General Ahmed Abul Gheit in New Delhi for the 2nd India-Arab Foreign Ministers’ Meeting and related sessions. Spanning the next two days, these high-level talks embody our joint resolve to strengthen India-Arab ties across diverse sectors.’
Gheit was joined earlier by counterparts from Comoros (Mbè Mohamed), Palestine (Warsean Agha Bekian Shahin), and Sudan (Mohieldin Salim Ahmed Ibrahim), all assembling for what promises to be a game-changing forum.
Institutionalized via a 2002 MoU with LAS, this ministerial platform has been the bedrock of India-Arab relations. A subsequent 2008 MoU during Amre Moussa’s visit birthed the Arab-India Cooperation Forum, refined in 2013 for better structure. As an observer in the 22-nation LAS, India leverages these interactions to align on pressing global issues like trade, energy security, counter-terrorism, and people-to-people contacts.
The summit arrives at a time when geopolitical shifts demand closer coordination. Discussions are expected to cover expanding trade volumes, joint investments in infrastructure, and collaborative efforts on climate resilience. With India’s growing role in the Middle East and Arab nations seeking diversification beyond traditional alliances, this meeting could unlock new avenues for mutual growth, reinforcing a partnership rooted in shared history and future aspirations.