New Delhi: India has reiterated its support to the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) in addressing any supply chain challenges faced for essential food items
In a virtual call with Jasem Mohamed Al Budaiwi, Secretary General of the GCC, commerce and industry ministry Piyush Goyal appreciated measures taken to strengthen logistics and explore alternate routes to maintain resilience.
Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Qatar, Kuwait, Oman and Bahrain are members of the GCC. It is New Delhi’s largest trading bloc with bilateral trade reaching $178.56 billion in FY25, accounting for 15.42% of India’s global trade.
“Goyal expressed hope that the ceasefire announced in the region would be enduring and would pave the way for lasting peace and stability,” the commerce and industry ministry said in a statement.
Both sides emphasized the need for coordinated efforts to ensure smooth trade flows.
Also Read | West Asia crisis: Piyush Goyal meets Kuwait, UAE to restore trade, energy flows
The ceasefire in West Asia is crucial for India as it depends heavily on the Strait of Hormuz for its crude oil imports and energy security. The blockade of the strait has disrupted its LPG, LNG and crude oil supplies.
Goyal also had virtual calls with Abdulla Bin Adel Fakhro, Minister of Industry and Commerce, Bahrain, his Kuwaiti counterpart Osama Khaled Boodai and the UAE’s Minister of Foreign Trade Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi.
With Kuwait, the discussions focused on harnessing available opportunities in trade and commerce to deepen the bilateral strategic partnership.
“Both the ministers agreed that dialogue and diplomacy should be given primacy and disruptions to energy supplies and trade flows should be restored at the earliest.
The minister conveyed that as a trusted and reliable partner, India is willing to extend assistance to address any supply chain issues particularly related to food security of Kuwait,” the ministry said.
Also Read | West Asia conflict: Govt to setup weekly monitoring mechanism to track exim trends
He emphasized the need to ensure predictable trade flows through maritime and other modes in the region in his virtual meeting with Bahrain’s minister.
“During the interaction, Goyal welcomed the ceasefire announced for the region and expressed hope that it would be enduring,” it said, adding that Goyal reiterated support for its security and stability, including maritime safety.
India and the GCC are negotiating a comprehensive and mutually beneficial free trade agreement. The GCC is also home to nearly ten million Indians.
In a virtual call with Jasem Mohamed Al Budaiwi, Secretary General of the GCC, commerce and industry ministry Piyush Goyal appreciated measures taken to strengthen logistics and explore alternate routes to maintain resilience.
Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Qatar, Kuwait, Oman and Bahrain are members of the GCC. It is New Delhi’s largest trading bloc with bilateral trade reaching $178.56 billion in FY25, accounting for 15.42% of India’s global trade.
“Goyal expressed hope that the ceasefire announced in the region would be enduring and would pave the way for lasting peace and stability,” the commerce and industry ministry said in a statement.
Both sides emphasized the need for coordinated efforts to ensure smooth trade flows.
Also Read | West Asia crisis: Piyush Goyal meets Kuwait, UAE to restore trade, energy flows
The ceasefire in West Asia is crucial for India as it depends heavily on the Strait of Hormuz for its crude oil imports and energy security. The blockade of the strait has disrupted its LPG, LNG and crude oil supplies.
Goyal also had virtual calls with Abdulla Bin Adel Fakhro, Minister of Industry and Commerce, Bahrain, his Kuwaiti counterpart Osama Khaled Boodai and the UAE’s Minister of Foreign Trade Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi.
With Kuwait, the discussions focused on harnessing available opportunities in trade and commerce to deepen the bilateral strategic partnership.
“Both the ministers agreed that dialogue and diplomacy should be given primacy and disruptions to energy supplies and trade flows should be restored at the earliest.
The minister conveyed that as a trusted and reliable partner, India is willing to extend assistance to address any supply chain issues particularly related to food security of Kuwait,” the ministry said.
Also Read | West Asia conflict: Govt to setup weekly monitoring mechanism to track exim trends
He emphasized the need to ensure predictable trade flows through maritime and other modes in the region in his virtual meeting with Bahrain’s minister.
“During the interaction, Goyal welcomed the ceasefire announced for the region and expressed hope that it would be enduring,” it said, adding that Goyal reiterated support for its security and stability, including maritime safety.
India and the GCC are negotiating a comprehensive and mutually beneficial free trade agreement. The GCC is also home to nearly ten million Indians.
