India's External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar met with Saudi Arabia's Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud on the sidelines of the BRICS 2026 summit. The meeting took place during the summit proceedings, where both leaders exchanged perspectives on regional and global developments as well as ways to advance bilateral cooperation between the two nations.
Meeting Agenda
Jaishankar shared a post on social media platform X stating that the two foreign ministers discussed regional and global developments. They also explored avenues to strengthen bilateral cooperation between India and Saudi Arabia. Saudi Arabia is participating in BRICS 2026 as an invited partner under India's chairship of the grouping.
Context of India-Saudi Relations
India-Saudi relations have witnessed significant progress in recent years. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman have held several high-level meetings. Both countries are collaborating in areas including energy security, trade, investment, and defence cooperation. Saudi Arabia remains a key crude oil supplier for India, while Indian companies are expanding their presence in the Saudi market.
BRICS 2026 and India's Chairship
The BRICS 2026 summit is being held under India's chairship. The grouping comprises Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa, while Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, and the United Arab Emirates have been invited as new members. During its chairship, India is emphasizing issues of the Global South, reformed multilateralism, and enhanced economic cooperation among member nations.
Public Reaction
Social media reactions to the meeting were mixed. Several users praised it as a diplomatic success for India and commended Jaishankar's efforts, while others raised questions about Saudi policies and posted critical comments.
