New Delhi: Minister of External Affairs Jaishankar on Wednesday held talks with the Secretary General of the Teluk Cooperation Council of Nayef Falah Mubarak al-Hajraf and seeks further easing of restrictions by GCC countries on air travel from India and recognizing the vaccination certificate.
Jaisankar held a broad talk here with Al-Hajraf, who was on his first official visit to India on 10-11 November 2021.
“Detailed review of Indian-GCC relations with Secretary General @GCCSG Dr.
Al-Hajraf.
Discussed political relations, trade , and our developing investment.
Agree to hold the next Indian-GCC Troika political dialogue on the start date, “Jaisankar tweeted.
Also, exchanging views on regional and international problems that take care of each other, he said.
Both leaders remember the historic and friendly Indian-GCC relationships, who have seen strong progress in recent years, and conducted detailed reviews of relationships and discussed ways to further enhance them, the external ministry said in a statement.
The GCC Secretary General praised the contribution of the Indian society to the Gulf countries and said that GCC wants to be an Indian partner in its economic growth.
Jaisankari thanks GCC countries to take care of a large Indian Diaspora in their country during the help of Covid-19’s Pandemic and Medical provided during the second wave in India in April-May 2021, said MEA.
The Minister also told the secretary general of progress carried out by India in the vaccination program and the two leaders expressed satisfaction with India-GCC cooperation in handling unprecedented challenges caused by a pandemic, he said.
Jaisankar hopes for further easing from GCC countries with air travel from India and recognize each other’s vaccination certificate.
The statement said.
Both leaders also discussed trade and investment relations between India and GCC and they expressed satisfaction that the essential trade between India and GCC continued even during Covid locking.
Both parties agree to the need for supply chains to secure further, including in the field of energy security, food security and health care, said MEA.
Jaisankar highlights the appeal of India as a goal for direct foreign investment (FDI), including for sovereign assessment funds in GCC countries, he said.
Secretary General EAM and GCC also exchanged views on regional and international problems that were concerned together.
Jaisankar also congratulated the Secretary General for the constructive role played by the GCC in promoting stability and prosperity in the region.
Both parties decided to hold the next Troika India-GCC political dialogue on the starting date.
The last round of dialogue was held virtually in November 2020.
Both parties also agreed to institutionalize the annual meeting between EAM and the Troika GCC by signing a memorandum of understanding in the coming months, the statement said.
Al-Hajraf will also hold a discussion with the Minister of Trade and the Piyush Goyal Industry on Thursday.