UAE President, Indian FM Discuss Bilateral Relations

This handout image provided by the UAE Ministry of Presidential Affairs shows (R to L) UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan receiving India's Foreign Minister Dr. Subrahmanyam Jaishankar at al-Shati Palace the capital Abu Dhabi on September 2, 2022. (UAE's Ministry of Presidential Affairs / AFP)
This handout image provided by the UAE Ministry of Presidential Affairs shows (R to L) UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan receiving India's Foreign Minister Dr. Subrahmanyam Jaishankar at al-Shati Palace the capital Abu Dhabi on September 2, 2022. (UAE's Ministry of Presidential Affairs / AFP)
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UAE President, Indian FM Discuss Bilateral Relations

This handout image provided by the UAE Ministry of Presidential Affairs shows (R to L) UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan receiving India's Foreign Minister Dr. Subrahmanyam Jaishankar at al-Shati Palace the capital Abu Dhabi on September 2, 2022. (UAE's Ministry of Presidential Affairs / AFP)
This handout image provided by the UAE Ministry of Presidential Affairs shows (R to L) UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan receiving India's Foreign Minister Dr. Subrahmanyam Jaishankar at al-Shati Palace the capital Abu Dhabi on September 2, 2022. (UAE's Ministry of Presidential Affairs / AFP)

United Arab Emirates President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan held talks on Friday with Indian Foreign Minister Dr. Subrahmanyam Jaishankar various aspects of their bilateral relations.

The officials tackled the importance of cooperating to boost and advance their relations within the framework of their comprehensive strategic partnership and the UAE-India Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA).

During the meeting, Sheikh Mohamed received a written letter from India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi regarding strengthening the strategic relations between their countries and the prospects of developing them to serve their common interests.

Sheikh Mohamed then discussed with his guest a number of regional and international issues of mutual concern.

Jaishankar is visiting the UAE to attend the meetings of the 14th session of the UAE-India Joint Committee and the third session of the UAE-India Strategic Dialogue, which was held in Abu Dhabi.

On Friday, UAE Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan chaired the third session of the UAE-India Strategic Dialogue.

Sheikh Abdullah and Jaishankar discussed issues of common interest and prospects for enhancing bilateral cooperation, in line with the CEPA agreement between the UAE and India.

They also exchanged views on a number of regional and international issues of mutual concern.

Sheikh Abdullah underscored the deep-rooted strategic relations between the UAE and India, and the continuous growth in their cooperation at all levels, thanks to the support of their leaderships.

He stressed that the UAE and India have succeeded in establishing an advanced and sustainable model for their strategic relations, which has yielded many significant achievements across several sectors.

The two countries are eager to strengthen ties to advance their common interests and those of their peoples, he added.

Sheikh Abdullah stressed the UAE-India CEPA, signed last February, has broadened the horizons for developing and strengthening their economic relations to drive sustainable development in both countries.

For his part, Jaishankar praised the UAE-India strategic partnership and the strong historical relations that their countries, their leaderships and peoples share.

He also stressed the keenness to strengthen and develop UAE-India strategic relations to meet the aspirations of their leaderships, noting that the strides made within the framework of their partnership are a source of pride and a driver to seek more successes to achieve common development goals.



Faisal bin Farhan in Damascus, Stresses Saudi Support to Syria’s Revival

This handout picture released by the Syrian Arab News Agency SANA on January 24, 2025, shows Syria's new leader Ahmed al-Sharaa (R) welcoming Saudi Arabia's Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah in Damascus. (SANA / AFP)
This handout picture released by the Syrian Arab News Agency SANA on January 24, 2025, shows Syria's new leader Ahmed al-Sharaa (R) welcoming Saudi Arabia's Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah in Damascus. (SANA / AFP)
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Faisal bin Farhan in Damascus, Stresses Saudi Support to Syria’s Revival

This handout picture released by the Syrian Arab News Agency SANA on January 24, 2025, shows Syria's new leader Ahmed al-Sharaa (R) welcoming Saudi Arabia's Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah in Damascus. (SANA / AFP)
This handout picture released by the Syrian Arab News Agency SANA on January 24, 2025, shows Syria's new leader Ahmed al-Sharaa (R) welcoming Saudi Arabia's Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah in Damascus. (SANA / AFP)

Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah reiterated on Friday the Kingdom’s support for Syria’s sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity.

Prince Faisal had arrived in Damascus on Friday where he held talks with its de facto leader Ahmed al-Sharaa.

Speaking at a press conference with Sharaa, he stressed Saudi Arabia’s support for the Syrian people.

He expressed his delight at visiting Damascus, stating that Saudi Arabia will back Syria’s security, stability and revival.

Prince Faisal and Sharaa discussed means to support Syria’s security and territorial integrity.  

They tackled efforts to back it on the political, economic and humanitarian levels, underscoring the need to lift sanctions on the country.

“We will continue to work with our brothers in Syria until we reach a final lifting of the sanctions imposed on their country,” Prince Faisal said.

He added that Saudi Arabia has been facilitating dialogue with the US and the EU to push for sanctions relief.

The FM and Sharaa stressed the need to offer Syria all forms of support during its period of transition in order for it to reclaim stability throughout its territories.

Prince Faisal hailed the new Syrian authorities on their openness to holding dialogue with all parties, saying he was confident the people will successfully maneuver this phase and achieve a prosperous and stable future.

He also met with his Syrian counterpart Asaad al-Shibani, who said Saudi Arabia has offered Syria a lot of support and has constantly stood by its people.

Prince Faisal’s visit “demonstrates this support,” he stated.

Moreover, he said consultations with Saudi Arabia are ongoing on “all levels. There are no reservations or obstacles. Our cooperation will be an important step towards building a better future for the region.”

Syria needs the support of its Arab brothers and is opening a new chapter of cooperation with them as it aspires to be a part of the joint Arab project, he stressed.

He echoed calls for sanctions relief, saying they were a hurdle to stability.

Syria is determined to open a new chapter that focuses on reconstruction, development and investment, he went on to say.