• India and Qatar are exploring the possibility of signing a bilateral free trade agreement (FTA) in future.

• This was discussed during the talks between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Amir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al-Thani.

• India and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) are pursuing negotiations on an FTA.

What is the Gulf Cooperation Council?

• The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) was established by an agreement concluded on May 25, 1981 in Riyadh among Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the UAE in view of their special relations, geographic proximity and similar political systems.

• GCC comprises some of the fastest growing economies in the world, mainly due to an increase in oil and natural gas revenues coupled with a building and investment boom backed by reserves, etc.

The GCC Charter states that the basic objectives are to:

i) Have coordination, integration and inter-connection between Member States in all fields. 

ii) Strengthen ties between their peoples.

iii) Formulate similar regulations in various fields such as economy, finance, trade, customs, tourism, legislation, administration.

iv) Foster scientific and technical progress in industry, mining, agriculture, water and animal resources.

v) Establish scientific research centres.

vi) Set up joint ventures.

vii) Encourage cooperation of the private sector.

The structure of the GCC consists of:

• The Supreme Council which comprises the Heads of State of the six member countries.

• The Ministerial Council which comprises the foreign ministers of the six member countries.

• The Secretariat General which prepares reports, studies, accounts and budgets for the GCC.

• The Secretariat is located in Riyadh. 

India and GCC

• The Gulf constitutes the “extended” neighborhood of India separated only by the Arabian Sea. India has a long standing historic deep-rooted relationship with GCC countries. 

• The GCC countries are home to 8.7 million strong Indian expatriate community and cultural and people-to-people ties between India and Gulf are bedrock of the bilateral relations. 

• The GCC is a major trade and investment partner for India. 

• The GCC’s substantial oil and gas reserves are of vital importance for India's energy security while defence and security cooperation with GCC has also been increasing. 

There are various institutional mechanism between India and GCC, including:

i) Political dialogue at the level of Foreign Ministers.

ii) MoU on Mechanism for Consultations.

iii) India-GCC Senior Officials Meeting at Secretary level.

iv) India-GCC Industrial Conference. 

Way Forward for India’s Gulf Engagement

• Fast-tracking FTA negotiations with GCC by addressing trade barriers.

• Strengthening energy cooperation with long-term LNG and oil supply agreements.

• Enhancing investment partnerships in renewable energy, technology, and startups.

• Expanding workforce agreements to protect and enhance the rights of Indian expatriates.

• Leveraging diplomatic ties to balance relations between Gulf nations and rival geopolitical powers.

(The author is a trainer for Civil Services aspirants.)