External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar touched down in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on Sunday for the inaugural India-Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) foreign ministers' meeting.
The visit marks the beginning of his three-nation tour, which will also include Germany and Switzerland.
Jaishankar took to X (formerly Twitter) to announce his arrival, stating, "Arrived in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia to take part in the First India - Gulf Cooperation Council Foreign Ministers’ Meeting. Thank Abdulmajeed Al Smari, Deputy Minister for Protocol Affairs for the warm reception."
The GCC, a prominent regional bloc, includes the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Qatar, and Kuwait. India's trade with GCC nations reached USD 184.46 billion in the 2022-23 financial year.
During his visit, Jaishankar is anticipated to engage in bilateral discussions with foreign ministers from several GCC member states.
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) highlighted the deep-rooted ties between India and the GCC, noting significant cooperation in trade, investment, energy, and cultural exchanges.
The GCC region is also home to approximately 8.9 million Indian expatriates, making it a crucial partner for India. The foreign ministers' meeting aims to review and enhance institutional cooperation across various sectors.
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