New York, Sep 26 (IANS/WAM): A ministerial group of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and India discussed here ways to strengthen and develop cooperative relations between them in various fields, and reviewed current regional and international issues of mutual interest.

During the meeting, held at the headquarters of the GCC's mission in New York Tuesday, the sides emphasised the importance of developing relations of friendship and cooperation between the GCC countries and India.

Both sides expressed their desire to hold a strategic dialogue between them in order to achieve their common interests.

The GCC delegation was headed by Bahrain's Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Khalid bin Ahmed bin Mohammed Al Khalifa, who is also the chairman of the current session of the GCC ministerial council.

The Indian side was led by Minister for External Affairs Salman Khurshid.

The ministerial council of the GCC also held a similar meeting with South Korea Tuesday.

The GCC comprises Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.