India hosts 2nd India-Arab Foreign Ministers' Meeting in New Delhi; Delhi Declaration adopted
On 31 January 2026 New Delhi hosted the 2nd India-Arab Foreign Ministers' Meeting, co-chaired by India and the UAE, ten years after the first meeting in Bahrain (2016).
Summary
India hosted the second India-Arab Foreign Ministers' Meeting in New Delhi on 31 January 2026, co-chaired by External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and the UAE, which chairs the current session of the Arab League Council. It was the first such meeting hosted by India and came after a gap of 10 years; the first was held in Bahrain in 2016. The meeting adopted the Delhi Declaration, which backs a sovereign Palestinian state on 1967 borders and zero tolerance for terrorism including cross-border terrorism, and the India-Arab Cooperation Forum executive programme for 2026-2028. PM Narendra Modi received the visiting ministers and the Arab League Secretary General.
Key facts
- Meeting
- 2nd India-Arab Foreign Ministers' Meeting, New Delhi, 31 Jan 2026
- Co-chairs
- India (EAM S. Jaishankar) and UAE
- First meeting
- 2016, Bahrain (gap of 10 years)
- Outcome
- Delhi Declaration; India-Arab Cooperation Forum executive programme 2026-2028
- Arab League
- 22 member states; India is an observer
- First FMM priority verticals
- Economy, energy, education, media and culture
Practice MCQs 4 questions
Which country co-chaired the 2nd India-Arab Foreign Ministers' Meeting held in New Delhi on 31 January 2026 along with India?
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Correct answer: C — United Arab Emirates
The meeting was co-chaired by India and the UAE (MEA via DD News).
Where was the first India-Arab Foreign Ministers' Meeting held in 2016?
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Correct answer: A — Manama, Bahrain
MEA: the first India-Arab Foreign Ministers' Meeting was held in 2016 in Bahrain; the 2026 meeting came after a gap of 10 years.
What was the outcome document of the 2nd India-Arab Foreign Ministers' Meeting (January 2026) called?
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Correct answer: D — Delhi Declaration
The meeting adopted the Delhi Declaration (MEA, UAE MoFA, Indian Express); the Manama Declaration was from the first meeting in 2016.
Consider the following statements about the League of Arab States: 1. It has 22 member states. 2. India is a full member of the League. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1 only
MEA: India is an Observer to the League of Arab States, a pan-Arab body with 22 member states.