External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar is set to embark on a multi-nation visit to Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, the United States, and Belgium, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) announced on Saturday. The visit, scheduled from July 5 to July 15, 2026, will include the official launch of India's campaign for the UN Security Council tenure 2028-29.
Visit to Gulf Nations: July 5-10
According to the MEA press release, Jaishankar will be on an official visit to Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, and Oman from July 5 to July 10. During this leg, he will meet with his counterparts and the leadership of these countries. The MEA stated that the visit will focus on enhancing bilateral relations with the four nations and provide an opportunity to exchange views on regional developments and issues of mutual interest.
US Leg: Launch of UNSC Campaign in New York
For the US portion of the trip, the External Affairs Minister will visit New York on July 13 to officially launch India's campaign for the UN Security Council tenure 2028-29. India is a candidate for the 2028-2029 term of the UN Security Council.
The Permanent Mission of India to the UN emphasized that India's deepening engagement with the United Nations is based on its steadfast commitment to multilateralism and dialogue as the key to achieving shared goals and addressing common challenges faced by the global community. As a founding member of the United Nations, India strongly supports the purposes and principles of the UN and has made significant contributions to implementing the goals of the Charter and the evolution of the UN's specialized programmes and agencies.
Belgium and EU Leg: Trade and Technology Council Meeting
Later, Jaishankar will attend the 3rd India-EU Trade and Technology Council meeting in Brussels on July 14-15. He will also interact with his EU and Belgian counterparts during this visit.
India believes that the United Nations and the norms of international relations that it has fostered remain the most efficacious means for tackling today's global challenges. India's candidature at the UN high table comes as it has continuously advocated for reforms of the UN Security Council to meet the challenges of the present times.
