NEW DELHI: India continued its diplomatic outreach to Gulf nations as External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar held conversations with his counterparts from Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates to discuss the regional situation and the latest developments in the conflict in West Asia.
Since the military conflict began on February 28, Jaishankar has spoken with foreign ministers from all countries in the Gulf Cooperation Council, urging that issues be resolved through dialogue and highlighting the importance of ensuring the safety and well-being of the Indian diaspora in the region.
Jaishankar is currently visiting Brussels from March 15–16 at the invitation of Kaja Kallas, the European Union’s foreign policy chief, to participate in the Foreign Affairs Council Meeting with foreign ministers from the EU’s 27 member states.
During the visit, he is also scheduled to meet senior leaders of the European Union as well as his counterparts from Belgium and other EU nations. The trip marks the first high-level bilateral engagement since India and the EU finalised a free trade agreement in January this year.
The visit comes amid the ongoing war in West Asia. Jaishankar and Kallas had earlier discussed the conflict, and the Indian minister is expected to emphasise the need for an early resolution during his meetings with European leaders.
“The visit of the foreign minister, coming soon after the historic 16th India–EU Summit, is expected to further deepen India’s strategic partnership with the EU,” the Ministry of External Affairs said in a statement.
