Indian External Affairs Minister (EAM) S. Jaishankar vowed to improve ties with the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) during his first visit to Saudi Arabia. Jaishankar arrived in Riyadh on Saturday for a two-day visit and met Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MBS), Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan, GCC Secretary General Nayef Falah Mubarak Al-Hajraf, and other officials.
Jaishankar tweeted that he held a “productive meeting” with Al -Hajraf. “Exchanged views on current regional and global situation and the relevance of India-GCC cooperation in that context,” he wrote. They also signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on a mechanism of consultations.
Productive meeting with @GCC Secretary General Dr. Nayef Falah Mubarak Al-Hajraf
— Dr. S. Jaishankar (@DrSJaishankar) September 10, 2022
Signed the MoU on mechanism of consultations between India and GCC.
Exchanged views on current regional and global situation and the relevance of India-GCC cooperation in that context. pic.twitter.com/6DpiTRnqi4
The Saudi Press Agency (SPA) reported that Al-Hajraf welcomed India’s efforts to strengthen ties with the GCC, saying this would “serve the common interests of both sides.” It noted that Jaishankar and Al-Hajraf also “discussed aspects of the GCC-Indian relations in many fields of joint cooperation,” without elaborating further.
The Secretary-General said the GCC shares “historical and solid” relations with New Delhi. “India is one of the largest trading partners of the GCC and an ideal model for addressing challenges and seizing opportunities, particularly in the fields of investment and economy,” he remarked.
Honoured to call on HRH Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in Jeddah this evening. Conveyed the warm greetings of PM @narendramodi.
— Dr. S. Jaishankar (@DrSJaishankar) September 11, 2022
Apprised him of the progress in our bilateral relations. Thank him for sharing his vision of our ties. pic.twitter.com/n98gopLuaZ
The pair also spoke of the need to improve economic and trade ties and finalise a free trade agreement (FTA).
The EAM later met with his Saudi counterpart Prince Faisal and Crown Prince MBS.
Faisal and Jaishankar co-chaired the political, security, social, and cultural committee of the India-Saudi Partnership Council. The Indian Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said in a statement before Jaishankar’s visit that Jaishankar and Prince Faisal would discuss the progress of four working groups of the committee, which deal with the political, security, cultural, and defence aspects of India-Saudi ties. “Discussed current global political and economic concerns. Agreed to work closely together in G20 and multilateral organizations,” Jaishankar revealed after the meeting.
Warm and productive meeting with Saudi Foreign Minister HH Prince @FaisalbinFarhan this afternoon.
— Dr. S. Jaishankar (@DrSJaishankar) September 11, 2022
Co-chaired the Political, Security, Social and Cultural Committee of the India-Saudi Partnership Council. pic.twitter.com/CV2aEdFlGp
The EAM met with MBS on Sunday and discussed improving bilateral ties. The SPA reported that Jaishankar submitted a written letter conveying “warm greetings” from Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to MBS. “During the meeting, bilateral relations between the two countries and opportunities of enhancing them were reviewed and the latest regional and international developments as well as the efforts being exerted towards them discussed,” the agency said.
India has maintained historically robust ties with all six members of the GCC—Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, and Qatar. India depends heavily on the region for its oil and natural gas imports. For instance, Qatar is India’s largest natural gas supplier, and Saudi Arabia is the 2nd largest export of oil to India. Furthermore, India and the UAE recently signed an FTA that seeks to increase bilateral trade in goods to over $100 billion and trade in services to over $15 billion. Bilateral trade between India and the GCC during the 2020-21 period was $87.36 billion.
Addressed diplomats at the Prince Saud Al Faisal Institute of Diplomatic Studies in Riyadh this morning.
— Dr. S. Jaishankar (@DrSJaishankar) September 11, 2022
Underlined the importance of India-Saudi Strategic Relationship at a time when the world is at crossroads. pic.twitter.com/03qYsrGMJq
India also has a large diaspora population of around 7.6 million people living in GCC countries. Together, they account for over 30% of foreign remittances received by India.
Jaishankar’s trip to Saudi Arabia is also seen as part of a larger Indian effort to calm tensions with the bloc following furious reactions from the region over inflammatory statements against Prophet Muhammad by two members of India’s ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in June.