India hosted the 2nd India-Arab Foreign Ministers’ Meeting, co-chaired with the UAE, strengthening political, economic, and strategic cooperation with all Arab League countries.
India hosted the 2nd India-Arab Foreign Ministers’ Meeting (IAFMM) on 31 January 2026 in New Delhi, co-chaired by India and the United Arab Emirates. The meeting brought together Foreign Ministers of all 22 Arab League member states and the League of Arab States Secretary-General. The Ministerial meeting followed the 4th India-Arab Senior Officials’ Meeting, held on 30 January 2026.
The Ministers recalled the deep historical, civilizational, and diaspora ties between India and the Arab world, highlighting robust exchanges in political, security, economic, developmental, cultural, and people-to-people sectors. Discussions covered a wide range of areas, including energy (renewable and conventional), trade and investment, education, research and innovation, healthcare, digital technologies, agriculture, space, startups, tourism, and AI.
Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to international peace and security, discussing issues such as Palestine, multilateralism, counterterrorism, and UN reforms. They welcomed progress on the Executive Program for 2016-17, including previous meetings, conferences, and forums like the India-Arab University Presidents Conference, Arab-India Energy Forum, and Arab-India Partnership Conference.
The Ministers committed to implement the Executive Program 2026-2028, planning multiple initiatives, including:
- 2nd Arab-India University Presidents’ Conference in Ajman, UAE (February 2026)
- 3rd Arab-India Cultural Festival in India (2026)
- 1st India-Arab Startup Conclave in India (2027)
- 1st India-Arab Health Partnership Conference (2026)
- 1st India-Arab Agriculture & Food Security Partnership Conference (2027)
- 1st India-Arab Tourism Working Group Meeting (2026)
- 1st India-Arab Counter Terrorism Working Group Meeting (2026)
The meeting also emphasized trade and investment, noting that bilateral trade exceeded US$240 billion, and encouraged growth in technology, infrastructure, renewable energy, startups, and innovation. Cooperation in energy, agriculture, food security, healthcare, pharmaceuticals, space, AI, youth programs, and archival administration was strengthened. Both sides welcomed India’s participation in initiatives like the International Solar Alliance, One Sun, One World, One Grid, and other global projects.
On regional issues, the Ministers reaffirmed support for Palestine, Lebanon, Libya, Sudan, Somalia, Yemen, and peaceful resolution of disputes over the three UAE islands. They condemned terrorism in all forms, including cross-border and drone-enabled attacks, and highlighted cooperation on counterterrorism under UN frameworks.
The Ministers also called for reforming the UN Security Council, strengthening Global South cooperation, and supporting initiatives like the Voice of Global South Summits and the Global South Young Diplomats Forum, including the upcoming AI Impact Summit in New Delhi (19–20 February 2026).
The Arab Ministers expressed appreciation to India for hosting the meeting and welcomed the decision to hold the 3rd India-Arab Ministerial Meeting in 2028 in one of the Arab States.
Source & Credit: MEA India
