External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar is set to visit Israel late Monday for bilateral consultations with his counterpart, Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar. This visit follows a series of high-level meetings with the leadership of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in Abu Dhabi.
Strategic Engagements in Abu Dhabi
Before departing for Israel, Jaishankar is scheduled to co-chair the 16th India-UAE Joint Commission Meeting and the 5th Strategic Dialogue with Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the UAE’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs. These meetings aim to comprehensively review and strengthen bilateral cooperation between the two nations.
Prior to these dialogues, the External Affairs Minister participated in the 16th Sir Bani Yas Forum, held from December 12 to 14 in Abu Dhabi’s Western Region. The annual forum brought together senior leaders and policymakers from the Gulf, Europe, and Asia to discuss critical regional issues focusing on peace, security, and economic cooperation.
Diplomatic Ties with Israel
Upon arriving in Israel, Jaishankar will hold bilateral consultations with Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar. Ahead of the visit, Jaishankar extended warm greetings to Sa’ar and the people of Israel on Sunday to mark the occasion of Hanukkah, wishing for peace and joy during the Festival of Lights.