Manama, Sep 27 (IANS): Indian External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj met foreign ministers of the Gulf region in a strategic dialogue between the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and India, a media report said Saturday.

The meeting came on the sidelines of the 69th session of the UN General Assembly in New York, the official Bahrain News Agency reported.

The two sides discussed means of further promoting long-standing relations between the GCC member countries and India. The meeting stressed on the importance of laying the groundwork for the development of cooperation between the two sides mainly in trade, energy and security fields.

Both sides also discussed ways of availing of India's successful development experiences, being one of the most influential economies in Asia.

The two sides exchanged views on a number of regional issues of mutual concern, especially the latest developments in Iraq, Syria, Yemen and the international efforts to fight terrorism.

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