India-Arab Ties: Jaishankar Meets Arab League Trainee Diplomats in Delhi

In New Delhi on Monday, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar met a delegation of Arab League diplomats currently training at the Sushma Swaraj Institute of Foreign Service. The meeting touched upon the broader fallout of global conflicts and the expanding influence of technology on the modern world.

Jaishankar posted about the interaction on the social media platform 'X', saying he was glad to meet the Arab League diplomats who are training in India. According to him, the conversation considered the far-reaching effects of present global conflicts and how technology is changing the way nations interact.

Drawing attention to the partnership between India and the Arab world, he said both are neighbours as well as partners within the Global South. He argued that stronger economic cooperation is necessary to remove hurdles in trade and development and to resist any form of inappropriate pressure.

To the diplomats, he offered advice to make the most of their stay in India and to learn about the nation, its culture and its citizens. He conveyed good wishes for the entire training period and encouraged them to make it a valuable and lasting experience.

Earlier, in August, Shripriya Ranganathan, Secretary (Consular, Passport, Visa and Overseas Indian Affairs) in the external affairs ministry, held talks with Khalid Manjalawi, Assistant Secretary General of the Arab League. The focus was on advancing the 2026-28 Executive Programme endorsed at the second India-Arab Foreign Ministers' Meeting.

India has maintained longstanding friendly and strong relations with Arab League nations. The organisation was established in Cairo in 1945 with seven founding members and aimed to advance the shared interests of its members. Presently, 22 Arab countries from North Africa and West Asia are part of the bloc.

According to the Indian Embassy in Egypt, Arab League countries form part of India's extended neighbourhood. India's commitment to strengthening ties with the region, its like-minded approach on international matters and its strong trade and economic relations serve as the solid basis of India-Arab relations.