India and Arab world signed an accord to set up an India-Arab Cooperation Forum. The agreement was signed between Indian external affairs minister Pranab Mukherjee and Amre Moussa, secretary-general of the 22-nation League of Arab States at the week-long cultural festival in Delhi on December 2, 2008. Talking about the new accord, Pranab Mukherjee stated that India-Arab Cooperation Forum will boost the relationship of both the nations on various fields including culture, trade, energy and human resources.

 

While giving his speech at the cultural festival, Amre Moussa condemned the November 26 terror strikes in Mumbai and assured to offer full support to India to combat terrorism. The six-day festival will showcase Arab handicraft besides oraganising a film festival and performances of artists from the Arab world. Apart from Indian officials, the ambassadors from Arab countries were present at the inauguration ceremony of the fest.

 

It is estimated that about five million Indian diasporas reside in various countries of Arab world. Maintaining good relations with Arab world is important for India as over 70 percent of India's oil supplies come from the energy-rich Gulf states. The Indian external minister also expressed his concern over Israel's months-long blockade of Gaza strip. According to Mukherjee, India is in favour of ending the expansion of Israeli settlements in the occupied Palestinian territories. He stressed the need of an early and significant easing of restrictions on the free movement of persons and goods within Palestine.