New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday reiterated India’s “continued support for the people of Palestine and welcomed ongoing peace efforts, including the Gaza peace plan” during a meeting with senior Arab leaders visiting India for the second India-Arab Foreign Ministers’ Meeting (FMM).
After meeting the Foreign Ministers, the Secretary General of the League of Arab States and heads of Arab delegations, Modi posted on X: “The Arab world is a part of India’s extended neighbourhood, linked by deep civilisational bonds, vibrant people-to-people connections and enduring brotherly ties, as well as a shared commitment to peace, progress and stability.”
He also expressed confidence “that enhanced cooperation in technology, energy, trade and innovation will unlock new opportunities and take the partnership to new heights”.
In a statement, the Prime Minister’s Office said Modi “conveyed his appreciation for the important role played by the Arab League in supporting efforts towards regional peace and stability”.
Modi’s remarks assume significance amid an invitation from United States President Donald Trump to join the Gaza Peace Board, although India is yet to take a decision on its next step.
The Arab leaders are in India for the India–Arab FMM, which is being co-chaired by India and the United Arab Emirates. Addressing the ministerial meeting, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said that taking forward the comprehensive peace plan to end the Gaza conflict, based on the United Nations Security Council Resolution 2803, is a widely shared priority.
“Various countries have made policy declarations on the peace plan, individually or collectively. This is the larger context in which we deliberate on the region’s challenges and prospects,” Jaishankar said.
He noted that several significant developments have taken place in the Middle East in recent years, many of which have had repercussions beyond the region. In this context, he pointed to shared interests that require strengthening the forces of stability, peace and prosperity.
Jaishankar also raised serious concerns over terrorism, calling for concerted global efforts to combat it. “A common threat in both our regions to these objectives is that of terrorism in all its forms and manifestations… Cross-border terrorism is particularly unacceptable because it violates the basic principles of international relations and diplomacy,” he said, in remarks seen as a reference to Pakistan.
“Societies targeted by terrorism have the right to defend themselves and will understandably exercise it… Zero-tolerance for terrorism must be an uncompromising universal norm,” he added.
Highlighting India’s close ties with Arab nations, Jaishankar said India has strong partnerships with all Arab League members and noted that the region hosts some of India’s largest expatriate communities, key energy sources, major trade relationships and emerging technology and connectivity initiatives.
“We are crucial to each other when it comes to food security and health security. Today’s deliberations, while of a collective nature, will nevertheless give a fillip to many bilateral ties,” he said.
Jaishankar further said India has developed capacities and strengths in line with changing times. “Many of these are technology related and their application has been people-centric. We believe that sharing experiences and best practices in that regard will be to our mutual benefit,” he said.
According to the Ministry of External Affairs, the India–Arab FMM is the highest institutional mechanism guiding the partnership, which was formalised in March 2002. India is an Observer to the League of Arab States, a pan-Arab body with 22 member countries.
The first India-hosted FMM witnessed participation from all 22 Arab nations. Foreign ministers from Oman, Palestine, Sudan, Comoros, Somalia and Libya attended, while Egypt, Yemen, Saudi Arabia and Qatar were represented by deputy ministers. Djibouti, Algeria, Jordan, Kuwait, Bahrain, Lebanon, Syria, Mauritania and Iraq were represented by senior diplomats and officials.