Jaishankar flags Gaza crisis at India-Arab Meeting
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Saturday underscored the urgency of ending the Gaza conflict and called for uncompromising global action against terrorism as he addressed the 2nd India -- Arab Foreign Ministers’ Meeting, held at a time of profound geopolitical shifts in West Asia.
Setting the tone for the deliberations, Jaishankar said the Middle East was undergoing a dramatic transformation, with the situation in Gaza remaining a central concern for the international community. Recalling discussions at the Sharm-el-Sheikh Peace Summit and the subsequent UN Security Council Resolution 2803 of November 2025, he noted that advancing a comprehensive peace plan for Gaza has become a “widely shared priority.”
“The implications of developments in West Asia are relevant not just for the region, but also for India’s partnership with Arab nations,” Jaishankar said, stressing that India, as a proximate region, has a direct stake in stability and peace. Beyond Gaza, the minister highlighted multiple conflicts affecting regional security, including the ongoing violence in Sudan, instability in Yemen impacting maritime navigation, and concerns over Lebanon, where Indian troops are deployed under UNIFIL. He also pointed to the need to advance national dialogue in Libya and closely monitor developments in Syria for the broader well-being of the region.
Jaishankar issued a strong warning against terrorism, describing it as a shared threat to peace and prosperity in both India and the Arab world. “Cross-border terrorism is particularly unacceptable as it violates the basic principles of international relations,” he said, adding that zero tolerance for terrorism must become a universal and non-negotiable norm.
Emphasising India’s deep-rooted ties with Arab nations, Jaishankar noted that partnerships with the League of Arab States (LAS) countries have steadily matured into strategic relationships, supported by strong people-to-people links, energy cooperation, trade, and technology initiatives. He also highlighted mutual dependence in areas such as food security and health security.
The External Affairs Minister said the India-Arab Cooperation Forum would play a key role in translating shared goodwill into concrete outcomes, with discussions focusing on the cooperation agenda for 2026-28. While traditional areas such as energy, agriculture, tourism, culture, and education remain central, India is keen to expand collaboration into digital technologies, space, start-ups, and innovation. He also welcomed the launch of the India-Arab Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture, calling it a step that would reinforce both bilateral and multilateral engagement.
Concluding his address, Jaishankar said India’s growing technological and people-centric capabilities could offer valuable lessons for partners across the Arab world. He expressed confidence that the meeting would lead to productive, outcome-oriented cooperation aimed at strengthening stability, peace, and prosperity across the region.
