External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar is set to co-chair the 16th India-UAE Joint Commission and the 5th India-UAE Strategic Dialogue in Abu Dhabi alongside UAE Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan. The high-level engagement follows Jaishankar’s participation in the Sir Bani Yas Forum, reflecting the growing strategic depth of ties between the two nations.
Following his engagements in the United Arab Emirates, Jaishankar will travel to Israel for bilateral consultations with Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar. The visit underscores India’s sustained diplomatic engagement in West Asia amid evolving regional dynamics.
Ahead of his visit, Jaishankar extended warm greetings to Sa’ar and the people of Israel on the occasion of Hanukkah, conveying wishes for peace, hope and harmony. The Israeli Foreign Minister responded warmly, reflecting the close personal and diplomatic rapport between the two leaders.
Jaishankar also strongly condemned a recent terrorist attack targeting Jewish people celebrating Hanukkah at Bondi Beach in Australia, expressing solidarity with the victims and reaffirming India’s firm stance against terrorism in all forms.
The diplomatic engagements follow a recent telephone conversation between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, during which the two leaders reviewed the situation in West Asia and reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening the India-Israel Strategic Partnership.
Both leaders reiterated their zero-tolerance approach to terrorism and expressed satisfaction over the continued momentum in bilateral cooperation. India reaffirmed its support for efforts aimed at achieving a just and durable peace in the region, while committing to deepen strategic, political and security cooperation with key partners across West Asia.
