<span style="color: #222222;">External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar on Wednesday held talks with Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council GCC Dr. Nayef Falah Mubarak Al-Hajraf in New Delhi. Dr. Nayef is on a two-day official visit to India. Both leaders recalled the historic and friendly relations between India and GCC, which have seen robust progress in recent years. They undertook a detailed review of the India-GCC relations and discussed ways to further enhance them. The GCC Secretary-General lauded the contribution of the Indian community to the Gulf countries and said that GCC wants to be a partner of India in its economic growth.<br />''<br />''The External Affairs Minister thanked the GCC countries for taking care of the large Indian diaspora in their countries during the Covid-19 pandemic and medical assistance provided during the second wave in India in April-May this year. Dr. Jaishankar hoped for further easing of restrictions by GCC countries on air travel from India and mutual recognition of vaccination certificates.<br />''<br />''Both leaders also discussed trade and investment relations between India and GCC. The External Affairs Minister highlighted India's attractiveness as a destination for FDI, including for sovereign wealth funds in GCC countries.<br />''<br />''Both sides decided to convene the next India-GCC Troika Political Dialogue at an early date. The last round of the Dialogue was held virtually in November last year.<br />''<br />''Dr. Nayef Falah Mubarak Al-Hajraf will also hold discussions with Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal tomorrow.</span><br />