Jaishankar at Raisina Middle East: India building strengths, trusted ties amid global shifts
Synopsis
At the Raisina Middle East Dialogue in Abu Dhabi, EAM Jaishankar positioned India as a resilience-first power in a fracturing global order — spotlighting IMEC as a corridor already reshaping regional connectivity thinking, while holding bilateral meetings with the Georgian and UAE foreign ministers on the same day.
Key Takeaways
Jaishankar spoke at the Raisina Middle East Dialogue in Abu Dhabi on 15 October 2026 .
He declared that globalisation 'cannot be reversed' but must be navigated with 'greater resilience.' Jaishankar highlighted the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC) as 'already shaping regional thinking on connectivity.' He held a bilateral meeting with Georgian FM Maka Botchorishvili , covering trade, tourism, education, and people-to-people ties.
Jaishankar also met UAE FM Abdullah Bin Zayed Al-Nahyan to discuss bilateral relations and global developments.
External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar on Thursday, 15 October 2026, declared that India is actively building its own capabilities and forging trusted global partnerships as the international order undergoes rapid transformation. Speaking at the Raisina Middle East Dialogue in Abu Dhabi, Jaishankar laid out India's strategic posture on connectivity, competition, and resilience.
Key Points from the Connectivity Discussion
Jaishankar participated in a panel discussion titled 'The Continental Corridors: Who Connects the Heartland?', where he outlined the evolving dynamics of global connectivity. He stressed that competition among major powers has intensified, new chokepoints have emerged, and the willingness of nations to leverage strategic advantages has grown considerably.
Posting on X, Jaishankar said: 'Globalisation cannot be reversed, but it must be navigated with greater resilience.' He also highlighted the role of the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC), noting that it is 'already shaping regional thinking on connectivity.' The remarks signal India's intent to position itself as a central node in emerging trans-continental trade and logistics networks.
India-Georgia Bilateral Meeting
On the sidelines of the dialogue, Jaishankar held bilateral talks on Wednesday with Georgian Foreign Minister Maka Botchorishvili. Both sides reviewed the expanding scope of India-Georgia relations, which have grown across trade, tourism, and education. Jaishankar said the two ministers discussed 'further deepening cooperation in business, connectivity, culture and people-to-people domains,' as well as current regional developments.
Botchorishvili, posting on X after the meeting, stated: 'Reaffirmed our commitment to strengthening political dialogue, expanding economic ties, and deepening cooperation in tourism, education, culture and other areas of mutual interest.' The two sides also reaffirmed a shared commitment to enhancing bilateral political dialogue.
Jaishankar-UAE FM Meeting
Jaishankar also held talks with UAE Foreign Minister Abdullah Bin Zayed Al-Nahyan, where discussions covered bilateral ties between India and the UAE as well as broader global issues. The meeting reflects the deepening strategic partnership between the two countries, which encompasses energy, trade, and diaspora linkages involving the 3.5-million-strong Indian community in the UAE.
IMEC and India's Connectivity Strategy
The emphasis on IMEC is significant. The corridor — spanning India, the Arabian Peninsula, Jordan, Israel, and Europe — has been a flagship connectivity initiative since its announcement at the G20 Summit in New Delhi in 2023. This comes amid ongoing geopolitical disruptions that have complicated other global trade routes, including the Red Sea and the Suez Canal, making alternative corridors more strategically relevant. Notably, Jaishankar's participation in the Raisina Middle East format underscores India's effort to anchor its diplomatic presence in the Gulf and the broader West Asia region.
With the Raisina Middle East Dialogue bringing together policymakers and strategists from across the region, India's messaging on resilient globalisation and trusted partnerships is likely to shape upcoming diplomatic engagements.
Point of View
Especially as Red Sea disruptions make alternative corridors commercially urgent. The simultaneous meetings with Georgia and the UAE point to a layered diplomatic effort: locking in smaller but strategically positioned partners alongside major Gulf relationships. What mainstream coverage underplays is that 'trusted partnerships' is a pointed phrase in today's geopolitical vocabulary — it is how India differentiates its engagement model from China's debt-driven connectivity approach. Whether IMEC can advance past its geopolitical obstacles, however, remains the key unanswered question that no diplomatic forum has yet resolved.
NationPress
15 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What did EAM Jaishankar say at the Raisina Middle East Dialogue in Abu Dhabi?
Jaishankar said India is building its own strengths and establishing trusted partnerships as the global landscape evolves. He also stated that globalisation cannot be reversed but must be navigated with greater resilience, and highlighted IMEC as already shaping regional connectivity thinking.
What is IMEC and why is it significant?
IMEC, the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor, is a multi-nation connectivity initiative announced at the G20 New Delhi Summit in 2023. It links India to Europe via the Arabian Peninsula, Jordan, and Israel, and is seen as a strategic alternative to disrupted global trade routes such as the Red Sea passage.
What was discussed in the Jaishankar-Georgia FM meeting?
Jaishankar met Georgian Foreign Minister Maka Botchorishvili on Wednesday and discussed deepening cooperation in business, connectivity, culture, and people-to-people ties. Both sides also reviewed expanding trade, tourism, and education links, and reaffirmed their commitment to stronger political dialogue.
Did Jaishankar meet the UAE Foreign Minister at the dialogue?
Yes, Jaishankar held talks with UAE Foreign Minister Abdullah Bin Zayed Al-Nahyan on the sidelines of the Raisina Middle East Dialogue. The two discussed bilateral ties and broader global issues, reflecting the deepening India-UAE strategic partnership.
What is the Raisina Middle East Dialogue?
The Raisina Middle East Dialogue is a regional edition of India's flagship Raisina Dialogue conference, bringing together senior policymakers, diplomats, and strategists to discuss geopolitics, connectivity, and international order. The Abu Dhabi edition reflects India's growing diplomatic engagement with the Gulf region.
