In a landmark development for trans-regional diplomacy, India and the League of Arab States (LAS) have officially adopted the "New Delhi Declaration," a comprehensive strategic roadmap forged during the second India-Arab Foreign Ministers' Meeting.

Co-chaired by India’s External Affairs Minister and attended by high-ranking diplomats from across the Arab world, the summit concluded with a unified vow of "zero tolerance" toward terrorism and an urgent call for the transformation of global governance.

The declaration condemned terrorism in all its forms, with Arab ministers specifically denouncing the recent attack in Pahalgam and reaffirming their steadfast support for India.

Both sides expressed shared alarm over the misuse of advanced technologies, such as drones, by militant groups for recruitment and trafficking while committing to decisive action against proscribed terrorists and their proxies listed under the UNSC 1267 Sanctions Committee.

The summit also addressed critical geopolitical flashpoints, reaffirming a commitment to a sovereign and independent State of Palestine based on 1967 borders and praising the ceasefire outcomes of the 2025 Sharm El-Sheikh Peace Summit.

While welcoming regional stability, the declaration voiced serious concern over maritime security, particularly Houthi attacks in the Red Sea, emphasizing that the protection of the Bab al-Mandab Strait remains a collective international responsibility.

Furthermore, both India and the Arab League rejected external interference in the internal affairs of nations like Lebanon, Libya, and Sudan, insisting on the preservation of their territorial integrity.

This political alignment extended to a critique of the United Nations, with the declaration labeling the current Security Council structure as anachronistic and unrepresentative, demanding an expansion of both permanent and non-permanent seats to reflect modern global realities.

On the economic front, the meeting celebrated a bilateral trade volume that has now surpassed $240 billion, paving the way for the new "Executive Program for 2026-2028."

This initiative targets emerging sectors such as green hydrogen, renewable energy, and artificial intelligence, while India actively sought formal recognition of the Indian Pharmacopoeia across Arab nations to deepen healthcare ties.

The External Affairs Minister expressed deep gratitude to the Arab states for hosting over nine million Indian nationals, who serve as a vital bridge between the two regions.

Looking forward, the partnership has scheduled a series of high-level engagements, including a Tourism Working Group and Health Partnership Conference later this year, followed by a groundbreaking Startup Conclave and Space Cooperation Working Group set for 2027.

Source: ANI