‘India sees Middle-East region as crucial passage to world beyond’

 

 

 

EXTERNAL Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar on Tuesday highlighted the significant expansion of India-Middle East engagement in the past decade, driven by strong trade, connectivity, and people-to-people linkages, saying India sees the Middle East as a crucial passage to the world beyond. Addressing the inaugural session of Raisina Middle East here, Jaishankar said the Middle East region, which India calls West Asia, is crucial to India’s strategic interests. The country’s trade in the Gulf region amounts to about USD 160 to USD 180 billion. “Our presence in the Gulf is both pervasive and crucial. More than 9 million Indians live and work here, but the Gulf also serves as a gateway to the MENA region and the Mediterranean,” Jaishankar said.

 

“Our annual trade with the Mediterranean, incidentally, is another USD 80 billion, and the Indian diaspora there is close to half a million,” the Minister said, adding that India’s projects in the region include airports, ports, railways, phosphates, green hydrogen, steel and submarine cables. Jaishankar said the endeavours of India and the Middle East can be projected further into Africa, Europe, the Caucasus, and Central Asia. “Perhaps there is no domain that has a stronger case for such plurilateral cooperation than that of connectivity... Maritime security and safety is another issue where understandings and mechanisms will have to step in to fill global deficits. In conclusion, Jaishankar said the Middle East is an extended neighbourhood with which India has fully reconnected, and New Delhi needs to deepen its engagement with the region.

 

The Minister here also met Anwar Gargash, Diplomatic Advisor to UAE President, on Tuesday morning and discussed the special partnership between India and UAE and its further progress. EAM Jaishankar meets Abu Dhabi Crown Prince, discuss ways to enhance bilateral ties: EXTERNAL Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Tuesday met Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and discussed ways to enhance and develop bilateral ties. Jaishankar, who arrived in the UAE on Monday on a three-day visit, recalled the crown prince’s visit to India during the meeting. “Pleased to meet Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi HH Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan. Recalled his recent visit to India and discussed further advancement of partnership,” Jaishankar said in a post on X. During the meeting, the two leaders discussed the friendship and cooperation between the UAE and India, and explored ways to further enhance and develop them to serve the common interests of both countries and their peoples, the state-run WAM news agency reported.

 

They also discussed the strategic partnership and relations between the two countries and their role in driving comprehensive and sustainable development across vital sectors in both nations, the agency added. Jaishankar also met Anwar Gargash, Diplomatic Advisor to the UAE President, in the morning and discussed the special partnership between India and UAE and its further progress. He also delivered the keynote address at the inaugural session of Raisina Middle East. “The visit will provide an opportunity to advance the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between the two countries and add new momentum to the India-UAE relationship,” the Ministry of External Affairs said in a statement ahead of his visit.