India-GCC Strengthen Ties with Strategic Dialogue and Joint Action Plan

India and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) convened for their first Joint Ministerial Meeting, focusing on enhancing cooperation across multiple sectors. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar emphasized key partnership pillars, and a Joint Action Plan for 2024-2028 was adopted. The meeting also addressed regional and international issues of mutual interest.

India and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) on Monday discussed bolstering their cooperative efforts across a range of areas, adopting a Joint Action Plan for activities in sectors including health, trade, security, energy, and agriculture.

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, who co-chaired the first India-GCC Joint Ministerial Meeting for Strategic Dialogue alongside Qatar's Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman, underscored the GCC's vital significance for India, describing it as the 'extended' neighborhood of the country.

Jaishankar highlighted four key pillars of the partnership: People, Prosperity, Progress, and Security. 'Our people-to-people ties are the bedrock of our relationship. Close to 9 million Indians work and live amongst you, acting as a living bridge between us,' he said, urging the early conclusion of an India-GCC Free Trade Agreement.

The meeting, which involved Foreign Ministers from all GCC countries, reviewed the upward trajectory of India-GCC relations, adopting a Joint Action Plan 2024-2028 to deepen collaboration in various fields. The GCC is a significant entity comprising the UAE, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Qatar, and Kuwait, with trade volume between India and GCC countries hitting $184.46 billion in FY 2022-23.

(With inputs from agencies.)