Jaishankar holds talks with his counterparts from Maldives, Mauritius, Nepal, Sri Lanka and Bhutan
Muscat: Indian External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar held meetings with his counterparts from Mauritius, Maldives, Nepal, Bhutan and Sri Lanka on the sidelines of Indian Ocean Conference in Oman's capital Muscat on Sunday.
Jaishankar met his Mauritius counterpart Dhananjay Ritish Ramful and underlined commitment to further strengthen "special bonds of friendship" between two nations. Jaishankar noted that it was his first meeting with Ramful.
In a post on X, Jaishankar stated, "A warm first meeting with FM @RitishRamful of Mauritius. Underlined our commitment to further our special bonds of friendship."
EAM Jaishankar held a meeting with his Maldives counterpart Abdulla Khaleel. During the meeting, the two leaders held talks on the many facets of India-Maldives cooperation.
Sharing details regarding his meeting with his Maldives counterpart on X, Jaishankar stated, "Pleased to catch up with FM @abkhaleel of Maldives. Exchanged views on the many facets of our cooperation."
Jaishankar met his Sri Lankan counterpart Vijitha Herath and discussed wide-ranging cooperation between two nations. He expressed India's commitment to the economic recovery and progress of Sri Lanka.
"A productive interaction with FM @HMVijithaHerath on sidelines of 8th Indian Ocean Conference Took stock of our wide - ranging cooperation. Committed to the economic recovery and progress of Sri Lanka," Jaishankar posted on X.
S Jaishankar met his Nepal counterpart Arzu Rana Deuba on the sidelines of Indian Ocean Conference. During the meeting, the two leaders reviewed bilateral cooperation and looked forward to strengthening ties.
Mentioning details regarding his meeting with his Nepal counterpart on X, Jaishankar wrote, "Glad to meet with FM @Arzuranadeuba of Nepal today. Had a useful review of our bilateral cooperation. Look forward to strengthening our ties."
Jaishankar held a meeting with his Bhutan counterpart DN Dhungyel, with the discussion focused on advancing bilateral and regional cooperation.
In a post shared on X, External Affairs Minister wrote, "A pleasure talking with @FMBhutan D. N. Dhungyel in Muscat today. Our discussion focused on advancing our bilateral and regional cooperation. Underlined the dynamism of our unique and time - tested partnership."
During his visit to Oman, Jaishankar also met his counterparts from from Oman, Brunei and Iran on the sidelines of Indian Ocean Conference. He also held a meeting with Bangladesh Foreign Affairs Advisor Md. Touhid Hossain.
He also gave a keynote address at the Indian Ocean Conference where he stressed the importance of adhering to agreements in ensuring stability. He was elaborating on the maritime consequences of the ongoing conflicts in West Asia and the Indo-Pacific region.
The 8th Indian Ocean Conference is being organised by India Foundation in association with Oman's Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Muscat on February 16-17, 2025. The theme for this year of the Conference is Voyages to New Horizons of Maritime Partnership.
The Indian Ocean Conference was started by India Foundation in 2016 at Singapore, with participation from 30 countries, according to the official statement. In the past 8 years, the Conference has emerged as the flagship consultative forum for countries in the region over regional affairs.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Times of Oman
3 hours ago
- Times of Oman
India-UAE CEPA doubles bilateral trade in just three years
The India–UAE (United Arab Emirates) CEPA (Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement), signed on 18th February 2022 and implemented from 1st May 2022, marks a landmark achievement in India's foreign trade trajectory. Celebrating its third anniversary in 2025, the agreement has not only strengthened economic relations but also deepened strategic cooperation between two major players in Asia and the Middle East. The CEPA, India's first comprehensive FTA in the Middle East, covers trade in goods and services, rules of origin, digital trade, customs cooperation, and investment facilitation. It aims to boost non-oil trade to over USD 100 billion within five years and create tremendous jobs opportunities in both countries. Three years on, the CEPA has significantly reduced tariff and non-tariff barriers, provided smoother market access for Indian exporters, and attracted UAE investors into key Indian sectors such as infrastructure, logistics, fintech, and renewable energy. The UAE, India's third-largest trading partner and second-largest export destination, has emerged as a gateway to Gulf and African markets. The India-UAE FTA has become a model for India's broader trade ambitions, combining economic benefits with geopolitical and cultural ties that have spanned centuries. It demonstrates how proactive diplomacy and economic strategy can work in tandem to deliver transformative outcomes. India-UAE Trade Trajectory India and the UAE share a robust and growing trade relationship that has evolved from energy-based exchanges to a multifaceted partnership encompassing manufacturing, gems and jewellery, agriculture, electronics, and emerging sectors like fintech and green energy. Over the past five years, bilateral trade has surged despite global disruptions such as the COVID-19 pandemic and supply chain bottlenecks. The signing of the CEPA in 2022 marked a turning point, unlocking significant potential across multiple sectors. India's exports to the UAE have diversified from traditional products like textiles and gems to electronics, automobiles, food products, and engineering goods. On the other hand, India imports crude oil, petroleum products, precious metals, and chemicals from the UAE. The CEPA has not only increased trade volumes but has also improved trade efficiency. Key sectors have benefitted from duty-free access and streamlined customs procedures. This trajectory indicates a long-term strategic alignment, with both nations investing in resilience, innovation, and diversification of their trade portfolios. India and UAE witnessed steady growth in bilateral trade over the past five financial years, highlighting the impact of evolving policy and market dynamics. India's exports to the UAE have seen a notable increase, particularly after the implementation of the CEPA in FY 2022–23. India's growing exports to the UAE post-FTA implementation show enhanced market access and product from the UAE, mainly comprising crude oil and precious metals, have also risen; the increase in total trade reflects the deepening economic integration and expanding commercial partnership. The bilateral trade doubled from USD 43.3 billion in 2020-21 to 85.61 in 2023-24 and rose to 105. 76 in 2024-25. India's exports to the UAE exhibit a wide range of product categories, reflecting a well-diversified trade basket. Gems and jewellery, including cut and polished diamonds and gold jewellery, have traditionally led India's exports to the UAE. The sector has benefitted immensely from CEPA, with duties on certain jewellery items either reduced or eliminated, giving Indian exporters a competitive edge in the Gulf region. Refined petroleum products are another major export segment, underscoring India's strong refining capabilities and growing energy ties with the UAE. India also exports a large volume of textile and apparel products, including cotton yarn, readymade garments, and home furnishings, which cater to the UAE's large expatriate population and regional demand. Engineering goods and automobiles are gaining traction due to improved market access and rising demand for Indian vehicles and industrial machinery. In recent years, electronic goods, especially mobile phones and consumer electronics, have become significant contributors, driven by India's expanding electronics manufacturing ecosystem. Moreover, agricultural exports like rice, tea, spices, meat, and seafood continue to strengthen India's presence in the UAE's food supply chain. On the India's imports form UAE, crude oil and petroleum derivatives dominate India's imports from the UAE, playing a critical role in meeting its energy requirements. India also imports precious metals such as gold and silver in large quantities, which feed into its thriving domestic jewellery manufacturing industry. Other key imports include aluminum, fertilizers, sulphur, plastics, and chemicals, all vital for India's manufacturing and agricultural sectors. These commodity exchanges reflect a strategic, resource-driven, and evolving partnership. India-UAE Investment Relations Investment flows between India and the UAE form a foundational pillar of their bilateral relationship, supporting infrastructure, technology, finance, and renewable energy sectors. The UAE is among the top 10 sources of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) into India, with cumulative investments exceeding USD 15 billion. On the other hand, Indian companies have established a strong footprint in the UAE, particularly in sectors like IT, education, construction, pharmaceuticals, and finance. Over 3,800 Indian companies operate in the UAE, benefitting from its liberal trade zones and investor-friendly environment. Indian retail giants, banks, and startups are increasingly exploring the UAE as a base for GCC and Africa expansion. The CEPA has provided a structured framework to promote investment facilitation, ensure regulatory transparency, and protect investor interests. The recent agreements on bilateral investment promotion and cross-border digital infrastructure cooperation are expected to further unlock investment synergies in emerging sectors such as AI, semiconductors, hydrogen, and smart mobility. Futuristic Outlook of India's Trade with UAE The future of India-UAE trade is poised for dynamic growth, underpinned by structural shifts, digital connectivity, and shared visions for sustainable development. CEPA has laid the groundwork for not just enhanced bilateral trade but also joint access to third-country markets, especially in Africa, West Asia, and Central Asia. With trade already exceeding USD 85 billion, both countries are on track to reach the USD 100 billion non-oil trade in the next few years. This will be supported by further integration in renewable energy, fintech, supply chain digitization, and emerging tech sectors. In green energy, the India-UAE Green Hydrogen Partnership has opened new channels of cooperation in solar power, clean mobility, and carbon-neutral logistics. Both are founding members of the International Solar Alliance and have launched joint ventures in solar panel manufacturing and energy storage. The CEPA's services trade chapter will significantly boost finance, healthcare, education, legal, and IT services. Mutual recognition of professional qualifications and reduced barriers in digital trade offer tremendous potential for Indian service providers. Emerging areas of bilateral collaboration between India and UAE include artificial intelligence, semiconductor design, defence manufacturing, aerospace, cybersecurity, and blockchain infrastructure. With both governments facilitating ease of doing business, the private sector is well-positioned to capitalize on these futuristic opportunities. In conclusions, the India-UAE FTA stands as a testament to visionary economic diplomacy, unlocking trade, investment, and innovation-led opportunities. Over three years, CEPA has catalyzed growth, diversified trade, and deepened bilateral trust. With supportive policy frameworks, private sector dynamism, and cultural closeness, the India-UAE economic relationship is poised to become a model for South-South cooperation. As both countries look toward the future, their partnership will be defined not just by shared prosperity, but also by shared responsibility in shaping a sustainable global economic order.
Times of Oman
10 hours ago
- Times of Oman
No restrictions on Indian travellers to Saudi Arabia; temporary visa curbs only for Hajj season
New Delhi : Reports about any bar on Indians travelling to Saudi Arabia are incorrect. The Saudi Government has not issued any notification on this matter, sources confirmed. As clarified by official sources, during the Hajj season, temporary restrictions on short-term visas are implemented to regulate the flow of pilgrims and avoid overcrowding- a standard measure that ends with the conclusion of Hajj. Meanwhile, reflecting on the success of the Hajj pilgrimage arrangements, UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan extended his congratulations to King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud for the smooth and safe conduct of this year's pilgrimage, acknowledging the efforts that enabled millions to perform their rituals peacefully. He acknowledged the gracious care of the Saudi leadership and its institutions, attributing the success of the Hajj season to their commitment to providing a spiritually fulfilling and secure experience for all worshippers. Extending similar greetings, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, and Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Vice President, Deputy Prime Minister and Chairman of the Presidential Court, also conveyed their congratulations to the Saudi monarch. In this context of international goodwill and regional cooperation, Indian pilgrims also participated in the sacred rituals, joining millions in performing Wuquf-e-Arafat, the spiritual climax of the Hajj, the Embassy of India in Riyadh shared on Thursday. Reinforcing this, the Indian Embassy wrote on X, "Indian pilgrims join millions of other pilgrims today at Arafat to perform Wuquf-e-Arafat, the core ritual of Haj." Sharing updates from the ground, Consul General Fahad Suri extended greetings in a video message and confirmed that all Indian pilgrims had arrived safely in Arafat, highlighting the coordinated efforts between the Indian Hajj Mission and Saudi authorities to ensure safe and smooth travel, stay, and onward movements of pilgrims. He appreciated the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah and associated service providers for their tireless support and extended wishes for a blessed Eid-ul-Adha and a successful Hajj for all pilgrims. These developments reflect the strong India-Saudi Arabia bilateral relations, grounded in centuries-old economic and cultural ties. The annual Hajj pilgrimage serves as a key aspect of this deep-rooted connection. Earlier this year, during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Saudi Arabia, the Indian side had expressed gratitude for the Kingdom's care towards the 2.7 million Indian nationals residing there, underlining the people-to-people bonds shared between the two nations. The Indian government also commended Saudi Arabia for the successful organisation of the 2024 Hajj and acknowledged the excellent bilateral coordination in facilitating Indian Hajj and Umrah pilgrims
Times of Oman
14 hours ago
- Times of Oman
"Carney had no options": Foreign affairs expert KP Fabian on Canada's invitation to PM Modi for G7 Summit
New Delhi: Foreign affairs expert KP Fabian on Sunday shared his insights on Canada's decision to invite Prime Minister Narendra Modi to the G7 Summit. Speaking with ANI, he said, "Carney had no options. The others said, Listen, India must be there. It's a vital link in the supply chain and any talk of Indo-Pacific stability." Canada's Prime Minister Mark Carney, the host of this year's summit, reportedly faced significant pressure from other G7 members after initially hesitating to invite Prime Minister Modi. This reluctance was largely due to domestic political backlash within Carney's own Liberal Party, triggered by a diplomatic row linked to the killing of a Khalistani separatist in British Columbia in June 2023. He added, "Now, of course, one should expect big demonstrations by the World Sikh Federation and others, but then it is for the government of Canada to deal with it." Fabian remarked that India, as the world's fourth-largest and fastest-growing economy, must be included in G7 discussions given its strategic importance in global trade and Indo-Pacific stability. Fabian pointed out that India has participated in the G7 Summit in the past, including five times during former Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh's tenure. He added that Canada's hesitation ultimately yielded to pressure from the G7 nations, who recognised India's critical role. He further said, "Carney is walking a tightrope when it comes to Canadian values. At a press conference, he was asked whether he believes the Indian government was involved in the killing of Nijjar. He refused to answer, citing the ongoing RCMP investigation. That's quite ironic. When did this happen, and why is the RCMP taking so long to conclude the investigation? And if you recall, why did Justin Trudeau accuse India before the investigation was even complete? Canadian political leaders have shown a lot of inconsistency. In the end, Mark Carney did the right thing, though it took some time -- and that's that." The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) is investigating the incident, but no conclusions have been drawn yet. Despite these political challenges, Carney reaffirmed Canada's commitment to the G7 summit's agenda. On Friday (local time), he said that G7 countries will discuss important issues, including security and energy, emphasising that India's presence at this intergovernmental political and economic forum is essential. Carney emphasised that India, being the fifth-largest economy and the most populous country in the world, must be at the table. "Let's put the two aspects in context -- first is, we are in the role -- Canada's in the role of the G7 chair and in those discussions as agreed with our G7 colleagues, include important discussions on energy, security, on digital future, critical minerals amongst others and partnerships actually in building infrastructure in the emerging and developing world," he said. Prime Minister Modi received a call from his Canadian counterpart, who extended India's invitation to attend the G7 Summit. "Glad to receive a call from Prime Minister @MarkJCarney of Canada. Congratulated him on his recent election victory and thanked him for the invitation to the G7 Summit in Kananaskis later this month. As vibrant democracies bound by deep people-to-people ties, India and Canada will work together with renewed vigour, guided by mutual respect and shared interests. Look forward to our meeting at the Summit," PM Modi wrote in his post. The G7 Summit (Group of Seven) is an informal grouping of seven of the world's advanced economies and the European Union. Its members meet annually at the G7 Summit to discuss global economic and geopolitical issues, according to the G7's official website. The members of the G7 are France, the US, Germany, Japan, Italy, Canada, and the UK
