New Delhi, Jan 31: India on Saturday urged Arab League member states to adopt an uncompromising global stance against terrorism, asserting that zero tolerance must be a universal norm as both sides reviewed the Gaza peace initiative and assessed challenges emerging from the evolving geopolitical landscape.
The message was conveyed during the second India–Arab Foreign Ministers’ Meeting held in New Delhi, which saw participation from representatives of 19 Arab League nations, underscoring the grouping’s diplomatic weight and regional influence.
Ahead of the deliberations, foreign ministers and senior delegates paid a courtesy call on Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Emphasising India’s close ties with the region, Modi described the Arab world as part of India’s extended neighbourhood, bound by civilisational links, strong people to people relations and a shared commitment to peace and stability. He said deeper collaboration in areas such as technology, energy, trade and innovation could significantly elevate the partnership.
Addressing the ministerial session, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar highlighted the urgency of advancing a comprehensive peace framework for Gaza in line with United Nations Security Council Resolution 2803, noting that several countries had already articulated positions on the proposed roadmap.
Jaishankar said the Middle East has witnessed multiple developments of far reaching impact in recent years, many of which have had global repercussions. Against this backdrop, he stressed the need to reinforce forces that promote stability, prosperity and peace.
Raising concerns over security threats, the external affairs minister underlined that terrorism in all its forms remains a common challenge for both India and the Arab region. He described cross-border terrorism as particularly unacceptable, as it violates fundamental principles of international relations, adding that nations targeted by such acts have the legitimate right to defend themselves.
Calling terrorism a global scourge, Jaishankar emphasised the importance of enhanced international cooperation to counter it effectively, asserting that tolerance towards terrorism cannot be selective or conditional.
He also pointed to India’s strong bilateral relationships with Arab League members, citing the presence of large Indian expatriate communities, robust energy ties, expanding trade links and growing collaboration in technology and connectivity. He said both sides play a crucial role in each other’s food and health security ecosystems.
Highlighting India’s growing technological capabilities, Jaishankar said people centric innovations and the sharing of best practices could deliver mutual benefits.
Referring to the broader global context, he said the international order is undergoing significant transformation driven by political, economic, technological and demographic shifts, with the Middle East standing out as a region experiencing particularly rapid change developments that directly affect India’s engagement with Arab nations.