EAM S Jaishankar begins six-nation tour to Gulf, US and Belgium amid West Asia ceasefire

External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar has begun a six-nation diplomatic tour from July 5 to 15, covering Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, the United States and Belgium. The visit comes at a crucial time following the recent Iran-US ceasefire and is aimed at strengthening India's engagement with key partners in West Asia, the United Nations and the European Union.

During the Gulf leg of the visit, Jaishankar will hold discussions with senior leaders and foreign ministers on bilateral cooperation, regional security, energy supplies and developments in West Asia.

The tour is expected to provide India with an opportunity to assess the evolving geopolitical situation after the ceasefire and reinforce ties with countries that play a vital role in regional stability and India's energy security.

After concluding his engagements in the Gulf, Jaishankar will travel to New York to launch India's campaign for a non-permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) for the 2028–29 term.

The final leg of the tour will take him to Brussels, where he will attend the India-EU Trade and Technology Council meeting and hold talks with European Union and Belgian leaders to deepen strategic and technological cooperation.