STA's Team of Lawyers in Abu Dhabi, Bahrain, Doha, UAE, Luxembourg, Moscow, RAK, Sharjah, and Singapore. Find a Lawyer. ..
Read more informationGCC Strengthens Global Strategic Partnerships with Russia, India, and Brazil at 161st Ministerial Meeting
The 161st Ministerial Council meeting of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), held in Riyadh and chaired by Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani, saw significant progress in GCC's strategic relations with global powers. Separate ministerial meetings were held with Russia, India, and Brazil to bolster cooperation in key areas, including economic collaboration, security, and international diplomacy.
The seventh GCC-Russia strategic dialogue with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov focused on enhancing GCC-Russia relations, discussing regional security, and addressing the ongoing Russia-Ukraine crisis. Both parties emphasized the need for peaceful resolutions and multilateral cooperation to achieve global security and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). A notable outcome of the first GCC-India ministerial meeting, attended by Indian External Affairs Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, was the reaffirmation of the historical and deep-rooted ties between the GCC and India. Discussions revolved around implementing the joint action plan for 2024-2028, which aims to enhance cooperation across sectors like economics, energy, defense, and technology. Jaishankar emphasized that nearly nine million Indians working in the GCC are a driving force for prosperity in both regions, and the GCC is vital for India's energy security.
The GCC also held its first ministerial meeting with Brazil, aiming to explore new avenues for cooperation. The meetings collectively underscored the GCC’s role as a strategic hub for global diplomacy, fostering deeper ties with world powers. Additionally, the meeting reaffirmed the GCC's solidarity with the Palestinian people, demanding an immediate ceasefire and humanitarian access in Gaza. The discussions highlighted the importance of regional and global security, multilateralism, and strengthening partnerships to address international challenges.