A flurry of diplomatic jets brought Arab foreign ministers to New Delhi on Thursday and Friday, heralding the revival of a vital forum: the second India-Arab Foreign Ministers’ Meeting. This landmark event, co-hosted by India and the UAE, underscores a renewed push for strategic alliances a full decade after the inaugural session in Bahrain.
Leading the pack was LAS Secretary-General Ahmed Abul Gheit on Thursday, whose presence signals high stakes for the upcoming deliberations. MEA warmly welcomed him, emphasizing the meetings’ role in cementing India-Arab ties across diverse fields.
Comoros’ Mbe Mohamed, Palestine’s Warsen Agabekian Shahin, and Sudan’s Mohieldin Salim Ahmed Ibrahim also arrived Thursday, priming the ground for Saturday’s ministerial huddle.
Friday saw Qatar’s Sultan bin Saad Al Muraikhi, Libya’s Eltayeb Salem Elbouri, and Somalia’s Abdisalam Ali and Ahmed Moalim Fiqi join the fold. Each welcome tweet from MEA highlighted strengthened bilateralism and mutual growth prospects.
Kicking off proceedings, the fourth Senior Officials’ Meeting convened Friday, laying groundwork for expanded partnerships identified back in 2016: economy, energy, education, media, and culture.
Born from a 2002 MoU institutionalizing India-LAS talks, the IAFMM has been dormant until now. Experts view this resurgence as timely, amid shifting geopolitics, energy transitions, and calls for South-South solidarity.
As delegates settle in, expectations run high for actionable outcomes that could unlock trade deals, security pacts, and cultural exchanges, positioning India as a pivotal bridge between Arab states and the Indo-Pacific.