India and the GCC Troika held their annual Political Dialogue today in virtual mode.<br />'' <br />''External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar led the Indian delegation.<br />'' <br />''The GCC was represented at the Troika-level by Dr. Nayef Falah M. Al-Hajraf, Secretary General of GCC, Dr. Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Bahrain and Dr. Anwar bin Mohammed Gargash, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, UAE.<br />'' <br />''Senior representatives from Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and Qatar also participated in the meeting.<br />'' <br />'' <br />''The leaders undertook detailed review of India-GCC ties and appreciated the upward trajectory in ties witnessed in the last few years.<br />'' <br />''They expressed satisfaction that India and GCC countries have continued their close cooperation even during the Covid-19 pandemic.<br />'' <br />''Dr Jaishankar apprised the GCC leaders of the improving situation in India, both on the health and economic side.<br />'' <br />''He hoped for early return to trade normalcy between India and the GCC.<br />'' <br />''India had ensured that the supply chains from India to the Gulf were not disrupted despite the lockdowns during the pandemic.<br />'' <br />'' <br />''The Minister thanked the GCC countries for taking care of the large Indian diaspora in their countries during the Covid-19 pandemic.<br />'' <br />''India had also taken special care to ensure the return of Indian health professionals to GCC countries and for supply of medicines and other essential items during the pandemic.<br />'' <br />''He mentioned that a large number of Indian workers and professionals are now eager to return to the GCC countries to resume their work.<br />'' <br />''He urged the GCC leadership to facilitate their return through sustainable travel bubble arrangements with India.<br />'' <br />''The GCC welcomed India's inclusion in the UNSC as a non-permanent member from January 2021.<br />'' <br />''<span style="color: #222222;">Both sides affirmed their commitment to reform multilateral institutions to reflect the realities of the 21st century and to work together to address contemporary challenges such as the Covid-19 pandemic, climate change, sustainable development and terrorism.</span><br />