At India-Arab meeting, ending Gaza war tops shared agenda
Ending the war in Gaza emerged as a central, shared objective during a major diplomatic gathering in New Delhi. Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar hosted top diplomats from Arab nations and the Arab League, co-chairing the first high-level India-Arab meeting in a decade with the UAE.
The urgent need to advance a plan to end the war in Gaza united diplomats at a significant India-Arab foreign ministers' meeting in New Delhi on Saturday. Indian External Affairs Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar stated that executing a comprehensive peace plan for Gaza is now a "widely shared priority," as he co-chaired the talks with the United Arab Emirates after a ten-year hiatus.
A Meeting at a Critical Juncture
The gathering, which included the Secretary-General of the Arab League and foreign ministers from numerous Arab states, occurred at what Jaishankar described as a transformative moment for the global order. He pointed specifically to the Middle East, where the landscape has shifted dramatically, placing the devastating situation in Gaza at the forefront of international concern. The meeting itself, the second of its kind, marks a rejuvenation of high-level diplomatic channels between India and the Arab world.
Building on Regional Peace Efforts
Minister Jaishankar referenced last year's Gaza peace summit in Egypt's Sharm el-Sheikh as a foundation for current efforts. He noted that various nations have since made policy declarations on a peace plan, both individually and collectively. This diplomatic context framed the discussions in New Delhi, where regional challenges and prospects were deliberated upon. The war referenced has resulted in extensive Palestinian casualties and the near-total destruction of civilian infrastructure in Gaza, with reconstruction costs estimated in the tens of billions.
Strengthening Historic Ties and Future Cooperation
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi welcomed the delegations, calling the Arab world part of India's "extended neighbourhood" and highlighting deep civilisational bonds and shared commitments to stability. On social media, PM Modi expressed confidence that cooperation in key areas like technology, energy, and trade would unlock new opportunities and elevate the partnership. The dialogue underscores India's active diplomatic engagement in Middle Eastern affairs and its alignment with Arab states on core regional issues like the Gaza crisis.
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