S Jaishankar’s Strategic Visit to Saudi Arabia Amid India’s Middle East Push

External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar arrived in Riyadh today to participate in the first-ever India-Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Foreign Ministers’ Meeting. During his visit, Jaishankar is expected to hold bilateral meetings with the Foreign Ministers of several GCC member countries, according to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA).

The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) is a political and economic alliance comprising six nations in the Gulf region: Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Bahrain, Qatar, Kuwait, and Oman.

“India and the GCC share a longstanding, multifaceted relationship encompassing political, trade and investment, energy cooperation, and cultural exchanges. The GCC is also home to approximately 8.9 million Indian expatriates and has become a significant trading partner for India. This Foreign Ministers’ meeting will provide an important platform to review and strengthen institutional collaboration across diverse sectors,” the MEA statement highlighted.

Following his visit to Saudi Arabia, Jaishankar will travel to Berlin, Germany, for a two-day trip from September 10 to 11. This marks his third visit to Berlin as Minister. “India and Germany enjoy a robust Strategic Partnership, with Germany being one of India’s largest trading partners and a significant source of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI),” the MEA noted.

Jaishankar’s itinerary also includes an official visit to Geneva, Switzerland, from September 12 to 13. There, he is scheduled to meet heads and representatives of international organizations with whom India maintains active engagement.

In related developments, the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, will embark on a two-day official visit to India from September 9 to 10. He is expected to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi to discuss bilateral cooperation.

On Friday, Jaishankar emphasized the importance of deepening India’s ties with the Mediterranean region during the CII India Mediterranean Business Conclave. “As we move forward, it is crucial that we embrace a spirit of collaboration, maintain open communication, and remain committed to shared objectives. Together, we can address the challenges of today, create new opportunities, and build a resilient, connected future,” he said.

Jaishankar also stressed the need to strengthen security and defense cooperation with the Mediterranean region, citing global economic volatility. He further highlighted the region’s significant potential for green hydrogen and green ammonia, underscoring energy cooperation as a key area of collaboration.