Riyadh/New Delhi, Sep 9 (UNI) External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar told the GCC countries today that the current situation in Gaza where fighting has been raging since October 7 last year is of foremost concern and India supports a ceasefire as soon as possible.

Addressing the first India-Gulf Cooperation Council Ministerial Meeting in Riyadh, the EAM said that India’s position on the Gaza situation “has been principled and consistent”.

“While we condemn acts of terrorism and hostage taking, we are deeply pained by the continuing death of innocent civilians. Any response must take into account the principles of humanitarian law.

"We support a ceasefire as soon as possible.”

“On the larger issue, we have consistently stood for a resolution of the Palestinian issue through a two-State solution. We have also contributed to the building of Palestinian institutions and capacities. Where the humanitarian situation is concerned, we have provided relief and increased our support to UNRWA,” he said.

Touching on the relationship between India and the GCC region, he offered the “framework of 3Ps – People, Prosperity and Progress” to describe it.

EAM said that people-to-people ties are the bedrock of the relationship, with close to nine million Indians working and living there, acting as a living bridge between us. “Their contributions to your economic progress are widely recognized. We thank you for ensuring their welfare and comfort.”

He said that trade has not only expanded in volume but also in diversity, encompassing a wide range of goods and services that fuel our economies and create jobs.

“The GCC is a cornerstone of global energy supply. India is one of the world’s largest and fastest-growing markets. Much of the future demand is going to come from us. Our deeper collaboration will help in stabilizing markets, driving innovation and enhancing energy security,” he said.

He said the partnership in the areas of renewables, technology and innovation, health, space, education can also help realize their respective national goals.

“But our relationship goes beyond just transactions. It is built on a foundation of trust, mutual respect, and a shared vision for the future. It has a larger goal of advancing progress in a world that is characterized by technological advancements, changing geopolitics, shifts in the global economy and the urgent need to address environmental sustainability,” the EAM said.

“Progress and prosperity require its concomitant – security – to also be stronger. The Gulf region occupies a central place in contemporary geopolitics. In a world polarized by conflict and tension, we share a commitment to global peace, security, and stability.”

He said the Covid pandemic underlined how relevant the two sides are to each other for health security, food security and maritime security. Similarly, the demands of AI, of electric mobility and of green growth highlight the importance of sharing human resources. Conflict and tensions bring out the importance of cooperating on connectivity. In a world moving towards multipolarity, we can be mutually supportive of each other’s aspirations, he added.

The GCC is a regional, intergovernmental, political, and economic union comprising Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates. The council's main headquarters is located in Riyadh, the capital of Saudi Arabia.

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