New Delhi, October 2026: External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Monday met a group of diplomats from the League of Arab States undergoing training at the Sushma Swaraj Institute of Foreign Service in New Delhi, highlighting the far-reaching impact of ongoing conflicts and the transformative role of technology in shaping the contemporary world.
During the interaction, Jaishankar encouraged the visiting diplomats to use their time in India to gain a deeper understanding of the country, its people and its perspectives on global developments.
In a post on X, the External Affairs Minister said he discussed the consequences of ongoing conflicts and how technological advancements are transforming the world. He also underlined the importance of stronger economic cooperation between India and Arab nations.
“As neighbours and Global South partners, [we] underlined the need for close economic cooperation to overcome chokepoints and neutralize unfair leverages,” Jaishankar said, wishing the diplomats a rewarding and enriching experience in India.
The interaction reflects India's continued engagement with Arab countries, with both sides seeking closer cooperation on economic issues and major international developments.
In August, Sripriya Ranganathan, Secretary (Consular, Passport and Visa and Overseas Indian Affairs) at the Ministry of External Affairs, met Khalid Manzalawi, Assistant Secretary-General of the League of Arab States. Their discussions focused on advancing the Executive Programme 2026-28, adopted at the second India-Arab Foreign Ministers' Meeting.
India has traditionally maintained close and friendly relations with the member countries of the League of Arab States, also known as the Arab League. Established in Cairo in 1945 with seven founding members, the organisation was created to promote cooperation and advance the common interests of Arab nations.
The League currently comprises 22 member states across North Africa and West Asia, regions that form an important part of India's extended neighbourhood.
According to a statement from the Indian Embassy in Egypt, India's engagement with the Arab world is underpinned by shared perspectives on major international developments and strong economic and commercial ties.
India and Arab countries have continued to explore opportunities to strengthen cooperation across areas of mutual interest. Engagements such as Jaishankar's meeting with the diplomats provide an opportunity to exchange views on global challenges, deepen mutual understanding and promote closer partnerships.
The emphasis on economic cooperation also highlights the importance of strengthening regional and international economic links to address bottlenecks and reduce vulnerabilities arising from unfair economic pressures.
The training programme offers the visiting diplomats an opportunity to familiarise themselves with India's foreign policy priorities, institutions and society, further supporting people-to-people understanding and diplomatic engagement between India and the Arab world.
