India conveys solidarity with Gulf nations, stresses restoring stability and deepening economic partnership

Piyush Goyal on Friday conveyed India’s solidarity with the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) nations—United Arab Emirates, Oman, Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar and Saudi Arabia—and reiterated India’s support in addressing supply chain challenges for essential food items amid the ongoing West Asia conflict.

In a virtual meeting with GCC secretary general Jasem Mohamed Al Budaiwi, Goyal expressed hope that the recently announced ceasefire would hold and pave the way for lasting peace and stability, according to a commerce ministry statement.

Goyal, who is currently overseeing party responsibilities in Tamil Nadu, also held virtual engagements with key GCC members, including the UAE, Bahrain and Kuwait. The outreach comes as India and the GCC continue negotiations on a proposed free trade agreement (FTA), with the bloc remaining India’s largest energy supplier.

The virtual interactions coincide with heightened diplomatic engagement between India and the GCC during a temporary lull in hostilities involving Iran, the US and Israel. Hardeep Singh Puri visited Qatar on April 9–10, while external affairs minister S. Jaishankar is set to travel to the UAE.

In his discussion with UAE minister of foreign trade Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, Goyal reaffirmed India’s support and condemned recent attacks in the UAE. He also thanked the UAE for its continued assistance to the Indian diaspora. India and the UAE had signed a bilateral FTA in 2022.

Both sides emphasised the importance of maintaining stable supply chains and ensuring uninterrupted trade flows. Goyal acknowledged the UAE’s proactive logistics measures, including alternate routes and multimodal transport solutions, while highlighting India’s efforts to support exporters and sustain essential supplies.

In his talks with the GCC leadership, Goyal also appreciated measures to strengthen logistics resilience, with both sides underscoring the need for coordinated efforts to keep trade channels open amid regional uncertainties.