Jaishankar begins six-nation tour to strengthen ties with Gulf nations, launch India’s UNSC campaign…reports Asian Lite News Desk
External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar will embark on a six-nation visit, covering Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, the United States and Belgium, with a packed diplomatic agenda focused on strengthening bilateral ties, advancing India’s global outreach and deepening engagement with the European Union.
According to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), Jaishankar’s visit will begin with a tour of Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait and Oman, where he will hold meetings with his counterparts and the leadership of the four Gulf countries. The visit is aimed at further enhancing India’s strategic and bilateral partnerships with the region while reviewing cooperation across key sectors.
In a statement, the MEA said the visit would provide an opportunity to strengthen bilateral relations and exchange views on regional developments and issues of mutual interest.
India shares close political, economic and people-to-people ties with the Gulf region, which hosts a large Indian diaspora and remains a crucial partner in energy security, trade, investment and maritime cooperation. The visit is expected to build on the growing momentum in India’s engagement with the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries.
Following the Gulf leg of the tour, Jaishankar will travel to New York to launch India’s official campaign for a non-permanent seat on the UN Security Council for the 2028-29 term. The campaign is expected to showcase India’s commitment to multilateralism, global governance reforms and its expanding role in addressing international challenges.
Jaishankar will then visit Brussels to participate in the third India-European Union Trade and Technology Council (TTC) meeting and hold discussions with his counterparts from the European Union and Belgium.
Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal and Union Minister for Railways, Information and Broadcasting, Electronics and Information Technology Ashwini Vaishnaw will also travel to Brussels to attend the ministerial meeting.
Speaking to reporters, Goyal said the Trade and Technology Council meeting would complement the recently concluded India-EU Free Trade Agreement (FTA) by facilitating its implementation and helping both sides maximise the benefits of the pact.
“Our effort is that it becomes a supplement to the free trade agreement which we have finalised and will help us smooth the edges, making it easier to implement and benefit from the FTA going forward,” Goyal said.
He added that the India-EU Trade and Technology Council is expected to further strengthen cooperation in key areas such as trade, critical technologies, digital partnerships, innovation and resilient supply chains, while supporting the effective implementation of the FTA.
The six-nation tour reflects India’s continued diplomatic engagement with key partners across the Gulf, the United Nations and Europe, as New Delhi seeks to expand strategic partnerships, promote economic cooperation and strengthen its role in global affairs.
