New Delhi: India and Lebanon held their first-ever Foreign Office Consultations in New Delhi on Monday, with Ambassador Sripriya Ranganathan leading the Indian delegation as both sides reviewed bilateral ties and explored avenues to expand cooperation across key sectors.
The discussions, co-chaired by Ranganathan, Secretary (Consular, Passport and Visa, and Overseas Indian Affairs) in India’s Ministry of External Affairs, and Ambassador Abdel Sattar Issa, Secretary-General of Lebanon’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Emigrants, covered the entire spectrum of bilateral relations.
Both sides discussed ways to strengthen cooperation across political and security, economic, and socio-cultural sectors. Trade and investment, digital public infrastructure, and pharmaceuticals were identified as priority areas for further collaboration.
The two delegations also exchanged views on regional and international developments of mutual interest.
The consultations follow Ranganathan’s official visit to Egypt, Palestine and Lebanon from August 16 to 21, during which she held a series of high-level diplomatic engagements.
During her August 21 visit to Beirut, Ranganathan met Issa to review bilateral relations and discuss opportunities to deepen cooperation in areas of mutual interest. The two diplomats also exchanged views on the evolving regional situation.
As part of her engagements, Ranganathan also called on Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam. Their discussions focused on India-Lebanon relations, building on the existing foundation of bilateral cooperation, as well as regional and international developments.
The first-ever Foreign Office Consultations mark a step towards strengthening institutional engagement between New Delhi and Beirut, with both countries seeking to expand their partnership across political, economic and other areas of shared interest.
