India & Arab League

Context

On January 30–31, 2026, India is hosting the landmark 2nd India-Arab Foreign Ministers’ Meeting (IAFMM) at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi. This high-level summit, co-chaired by India and the UAE, marks the revival of this diplomatic platform after a 10-year hiatus (the first was held in Bahrain in 2016), occurring against a backdrop of significant West Asian instability.

About the Arab League (League of Arab States)

Foundational Facts:

Established: March 22, 1945, in Cairo, Egypt.
Membership: 22 member states across North Africa, the Horn of Africa, and West Asia.
Objective: To strengthen relations between member states, coordinate political activities, and safeguard sovereignty.

India’s Connection:

Observer Status: India was granted Observer status in 2007, becoming the first member to enter the League without an indigenous Arabic-speaking population or Arab community.
Institutional Dialogue: Formalized in 2002 via an MoU. The Arab-India Cooperation Forum was established in 2008 to drive multi-sectoral engagement.

Strategic Dimensions of the Partnership

The relationship has evolved from a "buyer-seller" dynamic into a comprehensive strategic alliance:

1. Energy & Economic Security:

Trade Volume: Bilateral trade exceeds $240 billion.
Energy Dependence: Arab nations supply nearly 60% of India's crude oil, 95% of its LPG, and over 50% of its fertilizer requirements.
Investment: Shifting from oil to technology, renewable energy, and food security corridors (e.g., I2U2 initiatives).

2. The Diaspora Factor:

Human Link: Over 9 million Indians live and work in Arab League nations, remitting over $40 billion annually.
Security: Ensuring the safety of this diaspora is a primary pillar of India's "Look West" (now "Link West") policy.

3. Maritime & Connectivity:

Trade Routes: Most of India's external trade passes through the Suez Canal, Red Sea, and Gulf of Aden.
Geopolitics: Initiatives like the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC) aim to integrate India further with the Arab world.

Geopolitical Stance: The Palestine Issue

India’s approach to the Arab world is anchored by its long-standing principled position on Palestine:

Historical Pioneer: India was the first non-Arab country to recognize the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) as the sole representative of the Palestinian people (1974) and the first to recognize the State of Palestine (1988).
Two-State Solution: India consistently advocates for a sovereign, independent, and viable State of Palestine living side-by-side in peace with Israel.
Recent Solidarity: At the 2026 Delhi meeting, India reaffirmed its partnership with Palestine, welcoming their Foreign Minister to emphasize that stability in Gaza is central to regional peace.

Key Verticals of Cooperation

The 2026 Summit focuses on expanding the five priority verticals identified in 2016:

Vertical	Focus Areas
Economy	Supply chain resilience, MSME integration, and Digital Trade.
Energy	Green Hydrogen, Solar alliances, and long-term LNG contracts.
Education	Mutual recognition of degrees and the India-Arab Universities’ Conference.
Security	Counter-terrorism (addressing the "Pahalgam attack" model) and maritime safety.
Culture	Promoting shared heritage through the biennial Arab-India Cultural Festival.

Conclusion

The hosting of all 22 Arab nations in New Delhi signals India's emergence as a "stabilizing power" in West Asia. By balancing its strategic ties with Israel alongside a rejuvenated partnership with the Arab League, India seeks to secure its energy interests and diaspora while advocating for a multipolar, peaceful regional order.

India & Arab League