FTA talks on with GCC, Qatar

India is in the process of negotiating a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and is also considering an FTA with Qatar.

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This move aims to strengthen bilateral relations and deepen cooperation in various fields such as trade, energy, investment, security, and regional and international affairs.

During a special briefing on the state visit of the Amir of Qatar to India on Tuesday, Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) Secretary, CPV & OIA, Arun Kumar Chatterjee said that India and GCC "at this moment negotiating about having a free trade agreement," and in addition, India is also exploring the possibility of signing a similar agreement with Qatar in the future.

"India and Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), we are at this moment negotiating about having a free trade agreement. As far as Qatar is concerned, both sides are exploring the possibility of signing a free-trade agreement in future and that was one of the discussions that took place in this round of talks," said Chatterjee.

India has enjoyed centuries of good relations with countries like Iran, while smaller gas-rich nation Qatar is one of India's closest allies in the region. India shares good relations with most of the countries in the Gulf.

The two most important reasons for the relationship are oil and gas, and trade.