NEW DELHI — India's External Affairs Minister, Subrahmanyam Jaishankar has begun the first leg of a diplomatic tour covering four Gulf countries, with the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) saying the visit is aimed at strengthening bilateral ties and advancing cooperation on regional and global issues amid evolving geopolitical developments.
According to the MEA, Jaishankar is visiting Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait and Oman from July 5 to July 10, where he is scheduled to hold discussions with senior political leaders and his counterparts on political, economic, trade, investment, energy and people-to-people cooperation.
The ministry said the four Gulf nations are among India's key strategic partners, with cooperation spanning energy security, trade, investment and the welfare of the large Indian diaspora living in the region. Officials said the meetings are expected to review progress in bilateral partnerships and exchange views on regional developments of mutual interest.
Jaishankar began the tour in Doha, where he met Qatari Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani. Following the meeting, Jaishankar said he appreciated Qatar's diplomatic efforts to promote dialogue and regional stability, including its role in facilitating renewed engagement between the United States and Iran.
The Gulf visit forms the opening phase of a broader diplomatic itinerary extending through July 15. After concluding engagements in the region, Jaishankar is scheduled to travel to New York, where India plans to launch its campaign for election as a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council for the 2028-29 term. He will then travel to Brussels to participate in the third India-European Union Trade and Technology Council meeting.
The Brussels meetings are expected to focus on expanding cooperation in areas including digital technologies, resilient supply chains, trade and emerging technologies, according to the MEA. Officials have said the visit reflects India's continued engagement with key international partners across the Gulf, the United Nations and the European Union.
The ministry said Jaishankar's Gulf engagements will continue through July 10 before the subsequent legs of the tour in New York and Brussels proceed as scheduled.
