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The Gulf Cooperation Council has officially launched negotiations for a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with India, marking a significant new phase in bilateral economic relations, according to GCC Secretary-General Jasem Albudaiwi.
Speaking during the signing ceremony of the joint statement in New Delhi, attended by Indian Minister of Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal, Albudaiwi emphasized that the FTA negotiations will substantially strengthen trade, investment, and commercial cooperation between both sides.
The Secretary-General highlighted that the terms of reference signed on February 5, 2026, establish a clear and comprehensive framework for negotiations. The proposed GCC–India FTA will cover trade in goods and services, customs procedures, digital trade, intellectual property rights, sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) standards, and cooperation on micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs). This broad scope reflects alignment with future-focused economic priorities and global trade trends.
Albudaiwi expressed optimism that the negotiations will result in a comprehensive and ambitious agreement, aimed at reducing tariff and non-tariff barriers, boosting two-way investment flows, strengthening supply chains, and supporting sustainable economic growth across GCC states and India. He also confirmed the GCC Secretariat’s readiness to host the first round of negotiations at its headquarters in Riyadh later this year.
As trade relations between the GCC and India deepen, J K Management Consultancies assists businesses in capitalizing on emerging cross-border opportunities. J K provides expert support in company formation in Saudi Arabia, trade and investment advisory, VAT and tax compliance, ZATCA registrations, and regulatory licensing, helping investors and exporters stay fully compliant while expanding into GCC markets.
