EAM Jaishankar urges Gulf countries to facilitate return of Indians to resume work

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar urged the members of the Gulf Cooperation Council Troika to facilitate the return of the workers through sustainable travel bubble arrangements. As per the official statement by the Ministry of External Affairs, Jaishankar thanked the countries for taking care of the workers and professionals during the pandemic. Jaishankar was speaking at the annual political dialogue with the GCC Troika, which was held virtually this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Read: Jaishankar Attends Group Of Foreign Ministers Meeting On COVID-related Challenges

India-GCC dialogue 2020 

The minister further informed the GCC countries about the progress made by India in vaccine development and manufacturing of diagnostic and other equipment pertaining to the coronavirus. The GCC was represented at the troika-level by Dr. Nayef Falah M Al-Hajraf, the Secretary General of GCC, Dr. Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Bahrain and Dr. Anwar bin Mohammed Gargash, the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs. UAE Senior representatives from Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and Qatar also participated in the meeting. The minister said in a statement, “The EAM mentioned that a large number of Indian workers and professionals are now eager to return to the GCC countries to resume their work and "urged the GCC leadership to facilitate their return through sustainable travel bubble arrangements with India”. 

Read: EAM Jaishankar Exalts Europe As A Natural Partner For An Ambitious India

The Ministry of External Affairs further said that the GCC welcomed India's inclusion in the UNSC as a non-permanent member from January 2021. The statement read, “The leaders also exchanged views on regional and international issues of mutual concern. They agreed that the India-GCC partnership in political, economic and other domains would be further strengthened. Both sides affirmed their commitment to reform multilateral institutions to reflect the realities of the 21st century and to work together to address contemporary challenges such as the COVID-19 pandemic, climate change, sustainable development and terrorism”.

Read: 'Privileged Partners' India & Mexico Review Ties; EAM Jaishankar Chairs 8th Dialogue

Also Read: After LAC Clashes, Relationship Between India-China 'profoundly Disturbed': EAM Jaishankar

(Image Credits: PTI)