Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday said the Arab world was a part of India’s “extended neighbourhood”, underlining deep civilisational bonds and strong people-to-people ties as he met a high-level
delegation of Arab foreign ministers in New Delhi.
PM Modi shared photographs from the meeting on X, which was attended by foreign ministers of Arab countries, the Secretary General of the League of Arab States, and heads of Arab delegations who are in India for the second India-Arab Foreign Ministers’ Meeting.
In his post, PM Modi said India and the Arab world were connected by “deep civilisational bonds, vibrant people-to-people connections and enduring brotherly ties”, along with a shared commitment to peace, progress and stability. He expressed confidence that enhanced cooperation in areas such as technology, energy, trade and innovation would unlock new opportunities and take the partnership to new heights.
According to an official statement, the Prime Minister highlighted the historic people-to-people ties between India and the Arab world, noting that these links have continued to inspire and strengthen relations over the years. He also outlined his vision for the India-Arab partnership in the coming years, reaffirming India’s commitment to deepen cooperation in trade and investment, energy, technology, healthcare and other priority sectors for mutual benefit.
PM Modi reiterated India’s continued support for the people of Palestine and welcomed ongoing peace efforts, including the Gaza peace plan. He also conveyed appreciation for the role played by the Arab League in supporting initiatives aimed at regional peace and stability.
The meeting comes after a gap of nearly a decade, with the inaugural India-Arab Foreign Ministers’ Meeting having been held in 2016 in Bahrain.
The League of Arab States was formed in Cairo in 1945 and currently comprises 22 member states from North Africa and the Middle East, with Syria recently reinstated. The organisation seeks to coordinate political, economic, cultural and social programmes among its members and to mediate disputes within the region.
India’s economic engagement with Arab League countries remains substantial. India-Arab trade stands at over $240 billion, with bilateral hydrocarbon trade exceeding $107 billion. India imports a significant share of its LPG, LNG and crude oil requirements from Arab League nations. Over nine million Indians live and work across Arab countries, while Indian companies have investments spanning energy, infrastructure, IT, healthcare, renewable energy and financial services.
