Secretary (CPV and OIA) at the Ministry of External Affairs, Amb. Sripriya Ranganathan, called on H.E. Dr Nawaf Salam, Prime Minister of Lebanon, in Beirut in August and held discussions on India-Lebanon relations. According to the Embassy of India in Beirut, the talks focused on building on the strong platform of bilateral cooperation, while also covering regional and international developments of mutual interest.

Amb. Ranganathan also met H.E. Amb. Abdel Sattar Issa, Secretary General at Lebanon's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, to review the full gamut of bilateral relations and exchange views on strengthening cooperation in areas of mutual interest. “Delighted to be in Beirut and begin my engagements by meeting Secretary General Amb. Abdul Sattar Essa to discuss our bilateral cooperation in all its aspects,” Amb. Ranganathan said.

Parliamentary engagement

The Indian diplomat also met H.E. Nabih Berri, President of the National Assembly of Lebanon, with discussions focusing on ways to further strengthen the India–Lebanon partnership, including through parliamentary exchanges. Regional issues also featured in the meeting.

Amb. Ranganathan's Beirut engagements formed part of her official visit to Egypt, Palestine and Lebanon from August 16-21. She arrived in Beirut earlier in the day and was received by H.E. Ambassador Noor Rahman Sheikh.

Development partnership

Her visit to Palestine included participation in the groundbreaking ceremony for the 200-bed Indian Super Speciality Hospital in Jenin, alongside H.E. Mohammad Mustafa, Prime Minister of the State of Palestine. The project marks a significant milestone in the India–Palestine development partnership and adds a tangible development dimension to Amb. Ranganathan's regional engagements.

Her meetings in Lebanon, meanwhile, underline India's continuing engagement with Beirut at political, diplomatic and parliamentary levels, with both sides looking to build upon existing cooperation while navigating an evolving regional environment.