Indian external minister Sushma Swaraj has finally reached Abu Dhabi on Friday to attend the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) conference as a “Guest of Honour”.
According to ANI news reports, Swaraj will attend the plenary two-day 46th session of the council of foreign ministers of the 57-member body. She has been invited by the United Arab Emirates foreign minister Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan to attend the OIC meeting.
Ministry of external affairs spokesperson Raveesh Kumar tweeted: “Recognising India’s engagement with the Islamic world. EAM @SushmaSwaraj arrives in #AbuDhabi for the Ministerial Meeting of @OIC_OCI. India has been invited by HH Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Foreign Minister of UAE as the ‘Guest of Honour’.
Recognising India’s engagement with the Islamic world
EAM @SushmaSwaraj arrives in #AbuDhabi for the Ministerial Meeting of @OIC_OCI. India has been invited by HH Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Foreign Minister of UAE as the 'Guest of Honour'. pic.twitter.com/wzQbVOGczN
— Randhir Jaiswal (@MEAIndia) February 28, 2019
Despite Pakistan’s objection of her presence in the OIC meeting, Swaraj will be attending it as a “Guest of Honour”, sources said she will underscore country’s long and historical ties with the OIC member countries.
Pakistan’s foreign minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi has on Thursday threatened to boycott the OIC meeting if Swaraj will participate.
Crown prince of Abu Dhabi Shiekh Mohamed bin Zayed had called Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Pak’s Prime Minister Imran Khan to discuss the current development and urged the need for continuation of dialogues between the two Asian countries.
The tweet read, “Mohamed bin Zayed makes telephone calls to Indian and Pakistani prime ministers, stresses the importance of dealing wisely with recent developments and giving priority to dialogue and communication.”
Kumar tweeted: “EAM @SushmaSwaraj at #OIC: I carry the greetings of 1.3 billion Indians, including more than 185 million Muslim brothers and sisters. Our Muslims brothers and sisters are a microcosm of the diversity of India itself.”
EAM @SushmaSwaraj at #OIC: I carry the greetings of 1.3 billion Indians, including more than 185 million Muslim brothers and sisters. Our Muslims brothers and sisters are a microcosm of the diversity of India itself. pic.twitter.com/kMdkistoFp
— Randhir Jaiswal (@MEAIndia) March 1, 2019