FTA
India-GCC mega trade push: FTA talks take centre stage at New York meet
India and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) on Friday reviewed progress under their Joint Action Plan and discussed ways to further strengthen cooperation across trade, investment, energy, food security, health and other areas at the India-GCC Troika Ministerial Meeting in New York.
The meeting, held on the sidelines of the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly, was led by External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar. The GCC was represented at the Troika level by Bahrain Foreign Minister Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani, GCC Secretary General Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi and Saudi Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Adel Al-Jubeir. Ministers and senior officials from the UAE, Qatar, Oman and Kuwait also participated.
The leaders also welcomed the launch of India-GCC Free Trade Agreement (FTA) negotiations following the finalisation of the Terms of Reference in February 2026.
They noted that the proposed FTA could help expand and diversify trade and strengthen economic integration between India and the GCC once signed.
The leaders reaffirmed their commitment to building on the outcomes of the first India-GCC Joint Ministerial Meeting for Strategic Dialogue, held in Riyadh on September 9, 2024.
Jaishankar highlighted the "historically close and friendly ties" between India and GCC countries, underpinned by strong trade and people-to-people linkages.
Glad to co-chair the India-Gulf Cooperation Council Troika Ministerial Meeting in New York on the margins of #UNGA81.
— Dr. S. Jaishankar (@DrSJaishankar) September 25, 2026
Reviewed the progress of the India-GCC Joint Action Plan 2024–28 and discussed ways to further advance our partnership.
Welcomed the launch of India-GCC FTA… pic.twitter.com/e5MGzOPb59
In recent years, India-GCC relations have expanded across several sectors, including trade, investment, energy, health, technology and cultural exchanges. A large Indian diaspora also resides in the GCC region.
According to the Ministry of External Affairs, total trade between India and the GCC stood at USD 178.66 billion in the financial year 2025-26.
The leaders reviewed the implementation of the India-GCC Joint Action Plan (JAP) 2024-2028, which covers cooperation in political dialogue, security, trade and investment, agriculture and food security, transportation, energy, health, culture and education.
They noted that the wide range of sectors covered by the JAP reflected the depth and breadth of India-GCC engagement and welcomed the steady progress made in advancing cooperation.
Jaishankar thanked the GCC countries for continuing to supply energy and fertilisers despite disruptions to trade routes during the recent conflict in West Asia.
He also stressed the need to further strengthen the India-GCC energy partnership, including through greater cooperation in renewable energy, biofuels and green technologies.
The leaders also emphasised the importance of strengthening people-to-people ties through joint initiatives in arts, heritage, yoga, music, cinema and literature.
Jaishankar appreciated GCC countries for ensuring the welfare, safety and well-being of the Indian diaspora, including during the recent conflict in West Asia.
The two sides also exchanged views on regional and international issues of mutual concern, including the situation in West Asia, challenges to commercial shipping in international waterways, reform of multilateral institutions, sustainability and terrorism. Jaishankar underlined the importance of regional peace and security and efforts to resolve conflicts through dialogue and diplomacy.
Both sides agreed to hold the second India-GCC Joint Ministerial Meeting for Strategic Dialogue at an early date.
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