Deep Civilisational Bonds, Enduring Brotherly Ties Link India With Arab World: PM Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday met a delegation of Foreign Ministers from 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.

During the interaction, the Prime Minister highlighted the deep-rooted and historic people-to-people links between India and the Arab world, noting that these ties have consistently strengthened bilateral and multilateral relations over the years.

“Delighted to receive the Foreign Ministers and delegations of the Arab League today. The Arab world is a part of India’s extended neighbourhood, linked by deep civilisational bonds, vibrant people-to-people connections and enduring brotherly ties, as well as a shared commitment to peace, progress and stability,” PM Modi posted on X after the meeting.

“Confident that enhanced cooperation in technology, energy, trade and innovation will unlock new opportunities and take the partnership to new heights,” he added.

Vision For A Stronger India-Arab Partnership

According to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), Prime Minister Modi outlined his vision for the India-Arab partnership in the coming years and reaffirmed India’s commitment to further deepen cooperation in areas such as trade and investment, energy, technology, healthcare, and other priority sectors, for mutual benefit.

“Prime Minister reiterated India’s continued support for the people of Palestine and welcomed ongoing peace efforts, including the Gaza peace plan. He conveyed his appreciation for the important role played by the Arab League in supporting efforts towards regional peace and stability,” the statement issued after the meeting said.

India Hosts 2nd India-Arab Foreign Ministers’ Meeting

India on Saturday hosted the 2nd India-Arab Foreign Ministers’ Meeting (IAFMM), which saw participation from all 22 Arab countries, represented by Foreign Ministers, other Ministers, Ministers of State, senior officials and the Arab League. The meeting was preceded by the 4th India-Arab Senior Officials’ Meeting held on Friday.

Saturday’s meeting was co-chaired by India and the UAE. The Foreign Ministers’ Meeting took place after a gap of 10 years, with the first such meeting held in Bahrain in 2016. During the inaugural meeting, ministers had identified five priority areas of cooperation—economy, energy, education, media and culture—and proposed a range of activities across these sectors.

The MEA noted that the India-Arab Foreign Ministers’ Meeting is the highest institutional mechanism guiding the partnership, which was formalised in March 2002 with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between India and the League of Arab States.

A Memorandum of Cooperation for establishing the Arab-India Cooperation Forum was signed during the visit of then Arab League Secretary General Amre Moussa to India in December 2008 and later revised in 2013 to strengthen its structural framework. India is an Observer to the League of Arab States, a pan-Arab body comprising 22 member states.

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