External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar highlighted the growing strategic partnership between India and the Middle East, particularly with the Gulf region, during the inaugural session of the Raisina Middle East conference held in Abu Dhabi.
Jaishankar, who is on an official visit to the UAE from January 27 to 29, emphasised the long-standing historical ties between India and the Middle East, which have flourished through centuries of commerce, connectivity, and shared cultural exchanges.
He pointed out that trade between India and the Gulf region has exceeded USD 160 billion annually, covering a wide range of sectors, including energy, technology, infrastructure, and education.
This trade relationship is not limited to the Gulf; India’s engagement with the Mediterranean region is also significant, with trade reaching USD 80 billion annually.
Jaishankar explained how the Gulf serves as both a strategic partner and a gateway to the wider Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, as well as to the Mediterranean.
Jaishankar’s address underscored that India’s presence in the Gulf is not just in energy but extends across multiple sectors such as education, health, technology, defence, and cyber services.
More than 9 million Indians live and work in the Gulf, contributing to the strong economic and cultural ties. India also has important stakes in a variety of sectors in the region, including fertilisers, water management, diamonds, defence, and green hydrogen.
The collaboration also extends to infrastructural projects like airports, ports, railways, and steel production.
He pointed out the growing importance of the Gulf in India’s global strategy, with both material and intangible factors contributing to the symbiotic relationship between India and the Gulf.
Jaishankar noted that India’s interests in the region are rising and that the country’s growing global influence will continue to shape the trajectory of this relationship.
The Raisina Middle East conference, Jaishankar remarked, is an extension of the Raisina Dialogue held in India, which Prime Minister Narendra Modi had encouraged when he first assumed office.
The Raisina Dialogue, which started ten years ago, has since become an important platform for global discussions on diplomacy and strategy.
Jaishankar expressed his satisfaction in seeing the Raisina Dialogue expand beyond India and reach the Middle East, a region of immense importance to India. He congratulated the organisers of the Raisina Middle East conference and recognised the critical role of UAE partners in making this event a success.
Jaishankar also highlighted the broader significance of India’s relationship with the Middle East in today’s changing world. As India’s capabilities grow, he explained, the Middle East is not only a close partner but a crucial gateway to global influence, providing access to various strategic regions.
The Minister’s post on X (formerly Twitter) further reflected this view, where he described the growing India-Middle East engagement as being driven by strong trade, connectivity, and people-to-people linkages.
Earlier that day, Jaishankar held a meeting with Anwar Gargash, the Diplomatic Advisor to the President of the UAE, where they discussed the special partnership between India and the UAE and the continued progress in bilateral relations.
The India-UAE relationship has been historically strong, with diplomatic ties being established in 1972.
Over the years, this partnership has evolved into a robust, multifaceted relationship, marked by significant milestones such as Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to the UAE in 2015, which was the first visit of an Indian Prime Minister to the country in 34 years.
This visit set the stage for the launch of a Comprehensive and Strategic Partnership between the two nations.
India and the UAE have continued to build on this partnership, with multiple visits by Prime Minister Modi, including his most recent visit in November-December 2023 to attend the COP28 World Climate Action Summit in Dubai.
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