1. The second India Arab Foreign Ministers’ Meeting took place in New Delhi, India on 31 January 2026 with the participation of External Affairs Minister of India, Foreign Ministers of Arab States and the Secretary-General of the League of Arab States. The Ministerial meeting was preceded by the meeting of India Arab Senior Officials on 30th January 2026.
2. Recalling the deep historical and civilizational ties between the Arab world and India, rooted in shared heritage and robust diaspora connections, the two sides welcomed growing political, security, economic, developmental, cultural and people-to-people exchanges between India and the Arab States. This strong foundation paves the way for closer and mutually beneficial engagement between the two sides across a wide range of sectors such as energy including new & renewable energy, education, trade & investment, research & innovation, healthcare, digital technologies, agriculture, space, startup, tourism etc.
3. The two sides reaffirmed their commitment to safeguard international peace and security. They discussed a wide range of regional and global issues of mutual concern including the question of Palestine, support for multilateralism and respect for the sovereignty of states, counterterrorism efforts, and reforms of United Nations Security Council. The two sides emphasized the importance of international relations being founded on respect for the Charter of the United Nations, particularly the principles of sovereignty, territorial integrity, and non-interference in internal affairs. They expressed satisfaction on the progress made in the implementation of the Executive Program for 2016-17 including (i) 3rd Senior Official Meeting held virtually on 12 January 2021 (ii) 6th Arab-Indian Partnership Conference held in New Delhi in July 2023 (iii) 1st India-Arab University Presidents Conference held in India in February 2025 (iv) 2nd Arab-India Energy Forum (AIEF) in January 2026 in India
4. The two sides emphasized the immense potential for wider bilateral cooperation across various sectors aimed at forging mutual beneficial partnerships and achieving shared goals of peace and prosperity for the people of the Arab world and India. They affirmed the commitment to implement the Executive Program of the Forum for the years 2026-2028, in order to further strengthen cooperation in different fields, including holding: (i) 5th Senior Officials Meeting in one of the Arab States in 2027; (ii) 2nd Arab-India University President’s Conference in Ajman, UAE in February 2026; (iii) 7th Arab-India Partnership Conference in 2026 in one of the Arab States; (iv) 1st India-Arab Startup Conclave in India in 2027; (v) The 3rd session of the India-Arab Cultural festival in India in 2026; (vi) 3rd Arab-India Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in one of the Arab States in 2028; (vii) 1st Arab-India Health Partnership Conference in 2026 in one of the Arab States; (viii) 1st meeting of India-Arab Space Cooperation Working Group in 2027 in India; (ix) 3rd Arab-India Energy Forum in 2027 in one of the Arab States; (x) 1st India-Arab Agriculture & Food Security Partnership Conference in India in 2027; (xi) 1st India-Arab Tourism Working Group Meeting in 2026 in India; and (xii) 1st India-Arab Counter Terrorism Working Group Meeting in 2026 in India.
5. The Ministers highlighted the need for continued high-level political consultations to take forward the bilateral cooperation and also to consolidate positions on regional and global issues of mutual interest. The two sides highlighted the need to hold regular sectoral consultations led by the respective Ministers in-charge of identified sectors of interest, to deliberate and agree upon specific activities for future collaboration.
6. The two sides welcomed the robust trade between India and Arab States that is over US$240 billion and encouraged measures to further enhance it. They welcomed the growing investment exchanges between India and Arab States especially in new and emerging technologies, infrastructure, renewable energy, startups, innovation and others.
7. They welcomed the existing close cooperation in the field of energy sector and called for closer cooperation in various aspects of renewable energy and green technologies.
8. They called for enhanced cooperation in agriculture, food and fertilizer sectors to meet the food security priorities of both sides.
9. The two sides welcomed strengthening of cooperation in the fields of technology and innovation through the establishment of partnerships between startup ecosystems, development of digital technologies, and expansion of their applications across various sectors, while ensuring respect for domestic legislation and without imposing any obligations on national policies. They underscored the importance of enhancing cooperation in the field of artificial intelligence, including the exchange of expertise and the establishment of regulatory and ethical frameworks to ensure the safe and responsible use of these technologies, promote innovation, and contribute to inclusive development, while preserving each State’s sovereign right to determine its governance frameworks and areas of application.
10. The two sides called for enhanced cooperation in healthcare and pharmaceuticals sectors aimed at offering affordable and high-quality drugs and services to the people of both sides. India sought recognition of Indian Pharmacopoeia in Arab countries, which could further intensify this cooperation, while ensuring adherence to the regulatory frameworks and standards applicable domestically within the Member States.
11. Both sides called for closer exchanges in space sector to harness the benefits of space technologies for the benefits of populations across various sectors.
12. They emphasized the importance of strengthening cooperation in the field of youth by supporting exchange programs, building capacities, encouraging youth participation in cultural and innovative initiatives.
13. Emphasizing the importance of developing cooperation in the field of archival administration, both sides encouraged exchange of expertise and best practices in the preservation and maintenance of national archives and supporting digitization projects, and facilitating access to historical documents, thereby contributing to the safeguarding of institutional memory and the promotion of scientific research.
14. The EAM briefed Arab Ministers on various global initiatives, including the International Solar Alliance, the "One Sun, One World, One Grid” initiative, the International Big Cat Alliance, the "Lifestyle for Environment” initiative, the Disaster Resilient Infrastructure Alliance, and the Global Biofuel Alliance, and encouraged all Arab League Member States to participate in these initiatives.
15. Arab side briefed on the Suez Canal–Red Sea Economic and Maritime Development Initiative (STREAM) as a regional framework to support economic integration, develop ports and maritime and logistical infrastructure, and implement development projects in select Arab and African countries bordering the Red Sea. The initiative aims to enhance security and stability, boost trade and investment, restore maritime navigation safety in the Red Sea, promote the concept of the blue economy, and ensure the sustainability of the marine environment, thereby contributing positively to the global trade system and the international economy.
16. Both sides desired to strengthen cooperation in the fields of education, culture and media with the objective of promoting joint research, closer exchanges and deeper understanding. They welcomed closer exchanges between academic institutions, literary artistes and media organizations. They also welcomed India’s participation in the multinational nomination entitled "Henna: Rituals and Aesthetic and Social Practices” for its inscription on UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, which was successfully registered in 2024 at the initiative of the Arab States.
17. EAM thanked Arab Ministers for hosting a large Indian diaspora in the Arab world that is over 9 million, which provide a living bridge between India and the Arab world. Both sides welcomed greater people-to-people exchanges through visits and exchanges of youth delegations.
18. The two sides underscored the importance of women-led development and empowerment of women and agreed on exchange of relevant officials and experts to share their experiences and best practices.
Palestine:
19. Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to achieving a just, comprehensive, and lasting peace in the Middle East, according to international law, relevant UN resolutions and the Arab Peace Initiative. They called for a sovereign, independent and viable State of Palestine based on 1967 borders, living side by side in peace with Israel. Both parties supported the practice of inalienable rights of the Palestinian people.
20. The two sides welcomed the outcomes of the 2025 Sharm El-Sheikh Peace Summit, which culminated in the conclusion of a ceasefire agreement in Gaza. They commended the pivotal role played by the Arab States—particularly the Arab Republic of Egypt and the State of Qatar—as well as the United States of America, in addition to the related efforts undertaken by the People’s Democratic Republic of Algeria at the United Nations Security Council. They urged all concerned parties to fully comply with the implementation of the agreement and noted the launch of the Arab-Islamic plan for relief, recovery, and reconstruction in the Gaza Strip.
21. They further underscored the necessity of ensuring adequate, sustained, and unimpeded access for humanitarian and relief assistance throughout all of the Strip, guaranteeing the continued operations of relief agencies and international and humanitarian organizations, particularly the operations of UNRWA, in accordance with its UN mandate.
22. The two sides noted the completion of the formation of the Palestinian technocratic committee, as a temporary transitional body mandated to administer the Gaza Strip, in accordance with United Nations Security Council Resolution 2803, as a preparatory step toward the implementation of all provisions of the second phase of the ceasefire agreement in the Gaza Strip.
23. The two sides underscored the historic Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan custodianship of His Majesty King Abdullah II of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan over Islamic and Christian holy sites in Jerusalem, and they underscored the efforts undertaken by Al-Quds Committee chaired by His Majesty King Mohammed VI, King of the Kingdom of Morrocco as well as for the role of Bayt al-Mal al-Quds agency.
Lebanon
24. The two sides reaffirmed their support for the decision of the Government of Lebanon to restrict the possession of arms exclusively in the hands of legitimate security agencies and to assert the authority of the Lebanese State over its entire territory solely through its national forces. The two sides also called for respect for Lebanon’s territorial integrity and internationally recognized borders, for the cessation of all violations of Lebanese sovereignty and stressed the importance of implementing United Nations Security Council Resolution 1701 (2006) of 11 August 2006, as well as the Declaration on the Cessation of Hostilities issued on 26 November 2024. They noted the return of more than half a million Syrian displaced persons in Lebanon to Syria and underscored the importance of continuing the return of the remaining displaced Syrians to their country, noting that the causes of their displacement have ceased.
The Three Islands:
25. Both sides expressed their support for the endeavours of the United Arab Emirates in achieving a peaceful resolution of the issue regarding the three Islands Greater Tunb, Lesser Tunb and Abu Musa, by direct bilateral negotiation, or in accordance to international law and the Charter of the United Nations.
Libya:
26. They emphasized Libya’s full ownership of, and leadership in, the political process, and reaffirmed their commitment to the 2015 Libyan Political Agreement and relevant United Nations Security Council resolutions. In this context, they welcomed all efforts aimed at facilitating the political process to hold presidential and parliamentary elections at the earliest possible opportunity, in order to unify state institutions, complete the transitional phases, and advance the national dialogue process. They further reaffirmed Libya’s sovereignty, security, stability, and territorial unity, and rejected any external interference in its internal affairs.
Sudan:
27. The two sides reaffirmed their steadfast support for the sovereignty, unity, and territorial integrity of the Republic of the Sudan, rejected any interference in its internal affairs. They also reaffirmed their support for efforts to restore peace and stability in Sudan, in a manner that contributes to ending the current crisis. The two sides further expressed their condemnation of the grave violations committed against civilians, and called for the achievement of a humanitarian truce to ensure unimpeded delivery of humanitarian assistance throughout Sudan. The two sides expressed their rejection of the announcement of any steps or entities that would jeopardize the safety, unity, and territorial integrity of the Sudan.
Somalia:
28. The two sides expressed their support for the sovereignty of the Federal Republic of Somalia and in this regard called for respecting it’s unity, territorial integrity and internationally recognized borders.
Yemen:
29. The two sides reaffirmed their unwavering commitment to the unity, sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity of the Republic of Yemen, and their categorical rejection of any interference in its internal affairs, condemning any actions aimed at undermining Yemen’s security or violating its territorial unity. They also affirmed their full support for the Yemeni government and the Presidential Leadership Council, as well as for the efforts of the United Nations Secretary-General’s Special Envoy to Yemen, in pursuit of a comprehensive and sustainable peace in accordance with the agreed-upon references.
30. The two sides further condemned attacks by Houthi militias on maritime navigation, and emphasized that the protection of the vital Bab al-Mandab Strait and the southern Red Sea is not only an Arab and regional responsibility, but also a shared international responsibility and a global interest. They warned against any attempts to undermine stability in the Gulf of Aden, the Arabian Sea, and the Indian Ocean.
31. The two sides reviewed their mutual support in combating terrorism in all its forms, expressed appreciation for the initiatives undertaken by a number of Arab States in the areas of counter terrorism and transnational crime, and reaffirmed the principle of zero tolerance toward terrorism, which continues to constitute one of the most serious threats to international peace and security. They also condemned cross-border terrorism and called on all States to refrain from using terrorism against other States, urging all States to work collectively to combat terrorism, dismantle terrorist infrastructures and terror financing networks wherever they exist, and bring the perpetrators of terrorist acts to justice without delay. The two sides agreed to strengthen their joint efforts to counter terrorism in all its forms and manifestations. They expressed deep concern over the misuse by terrorist groups of new and advanced technologies for propaganda and disinformation, recruitment, fundraising and the transfer of funds, as well as for the planning and execution of terrorist activities. The two sides further noted, with growing concern, the increasing use of unmanned aerial systems (drones) in trafficking of drugs, money, weapons, and explosives, as well as in the conduct of sophisticated attacks, posing a significant challenge to counter terrorism efforts in the region. In this context, the Foreign Ministers of the Arab States strongly condemned the heinous terrorist attack in Pahalgam targeting innocent Indian tourists, and reaffirmed their full and steadfast support for the Republic of India and Arab States in confronting terrorism in all its forms and manifestations. They also noted Iraq’s prominent and pivotal role in combating terrorism perpetrated by "Da'esh", as well as by individuals, groups, institutions, and entities associated with it, in Iraq and the region. Both sides also noted the efforts undertaken by the Syrian Government in the fields of counter-terrorism, including its joining the International Coalition against Daesh, as well as the measures taken to combat the production and trafficking of narcotics, and its zero tolerance approach towards cross-border terrorism, thereby contributing to regional security and stability.
32. The two sides welcomed the unanimous adoption by the Security Council of the "Algeria Guiding Principles on Preventing the Financing of Terrorism through Emerging Technologies,” at the initiative of Algeria and pursuant to the Council’s 2022 Delhi Declaration on countering the use of new and emerging technologies for terrorist purposes. The two sides committed to strengthen cooperation to take decisive and concerted actions against globally proscribed terrorists, terror entities and their proxies, sponsors, backers and financiers, including those in UNSC 1267 Sanctions Committee.
33. The two sides underscored their rejection of hate speech and all forms of attacks on the beliefs and religious practices of nations and peoples, and welcomed the adoption of UNGA resolution A/Res/75/309 presented by Morocco and proclaiming 18 June as the ‘International Day for Countering hate speech’. They called for the adoption of necessary measures to combat such acts wherever they occur, given their detrimental impact on social cohesion, the maintenance of international peace and security, and their role in fueling the outbreak, escalation, and recurrence of conflicts worldwide, as well as undermining regional and global stability, in accordance with United Nations Security Council Resolution 2686 (2023) of 14 June 2023. The two sides further called on all States to advance efforts promoting tolerance, peaceful coexistence, human fraternity, and the rejection of hatred, sectarianism, fanaticism, discrimination, and extremism in all its forms.
34. The two sides acknowledged the leading role of the Arab States and India in United Nations peacekeeping operations, affirming their substantial contributions both in terms of personnel and in fostering partnerships that support UN missions. They also emphasized the importance of enhancing the participation of troop-contributing countries by granting them a greater and more effective role in decision-making related to peacekeeping operations. Furthermore, the two sides expressed their interest in deepening cooperation in supporting security and peacekeeping efforts, particularly through joint training initiatives. In this context, the Arab League Foreign Ministers commended India’s initiatives in training and capacity-building for United Nations peacekeeping operations.
35. Both sides expressed their readiness to continue joint work and coordination on issues of mutual interest across various international organizations and forums, including the United Nations with a directive to enhance consultation and coordination between the Arab Group and India’s Permanent Mission in New York and Geneva. They also agreed to endeavour to mutually support each other’s candidacies. The two sides called for reform of the United Nations Security Council through expansion in both permanent and non-permanent membership to reflect contemporary reality. They agreed that the current structure of the UN Security Council was not representative of a majority of the people of the world but continued to perpetuate a system that was anachronistic.
36. India and the Arab League deliberated on global challenges and reaffirmed their shared conviction that, in the face of the proliferation of crises and multiplicity of risks confronting the world, reforming the international system on the principles of equality, respect for sovereignty, and partnership remains the most legitimate and effective path to achieving peace, development, and justice. They agreed that commitment to this path, which is anchored in equality, respect for sovereignty, and partnership, is essential to achieving this vision. Both sides reaffirmed their collective determination to act as constructive forces for peace, equity, and sustainable development, and to strengthen South-South cooperation in this regard. They expressed confidence that through shared vision, solidarity, and leadership, the Global South can help renew the multilateral system and build a world that is fairer, more just, and more representative of all humanity. The LAS Ministers appreciated India’s hosting of the Voice of Global South Summits. They praised the historic and pivotal contributions of Arab States and India in representing the interests of the Global South. They welcomed the convening of the previous three sessions of the Global South Young Diplomats Forum, hosted by India over the past three years, and also welcomed the upcoming fourth session, which will be held by the Sushma Swaraj Institute of Foreign Service from 16 to 27 February 2026. The Forum will provide an opportunity for more than 40 participants from Global South countries, including League of Arab States, to take part in the ‘Artificial Intelligence Impact’ Summit, scheduled to be held in New Delhi on 19 and 20 February 2026.
37. Arab Foreign Ministers expressed their appreciation to the Republic of India for hosting the 2nd India-Arab Ministerial Meeting and for the warm hospitality extended to the delegations and for the excellent arrangements that contributed to the success of this meeting. They also welcomed holding the 3rd India-Arab Ministerial Meeting of the Forum in 2028 in one of the Arab States.
New Delhi
January 31, 2026