Tbilisi, December 14 — India and Georgia held the eighth round of Foreign Office Consultations (FOC) in Tbilisi on December 13, 2025, to review bilateral ties and discuss regional and global developments.
The Indian delegation was led by Secretary (West) Sibi George and the Georgian side by Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Khvitisiashvili. Discussions covered the full spectrum of cooperation, including political engagement, trade and economic links, cultural exchanges and people-to-people contacts. Both sides explored opportunities to broaden cooperation into new areas and agreed to maintain regular official exchanges to consolidate and deepen the strategic relationship.
The Ministry of External Affairs noted on X that the consultations reaffirmed a shared commitment to strengthen ties and enhance cooperation. Delegates also exchanged views on regional and international issues of mutual interest.
India recognised Georgia’s independence in December 1991. India established a resident mission in Tbilisi in July 2024; until then, the Indian Embassy in Yerevan, Armenia, had been concurrently accredited to Georgia. Georgia opened its embassy in New Delhi in 2009.
The two countries highlighted longstanding historical and cultural links. Indian folklore, notably the Panchatantra, influenced Georgian folk stories, and Georgians historically served in Mughal courts in India. Georgian painter Niko Pirosmani depicted Indian themes in works such as “Hunting in India.” In 2021, relics of Queen St Ketevan found at Goa’s St Augustine Church were partly returned to Georgia in a gesture facilitated by External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, underscoring enduring cultural connections.
Officials said the consultations will help sustain momentum in bilateral relations and open pathways for enhanced cooperation across political, economic and cultural domains.
