India and GCC reaffirm commitment to freedom of navigation

India and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) have reaffirmed their commitment to freedom of navigation and the safety of commercial shipping and seafarers. This commitment was emphasized during the India-GCC Troika Ministerial meeting co-chaired by Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar.

Participants, including GCC Secretary General Jasem Al-Budaiwi and foreign ministers from Bahrain and Qatar, reviewed the progress of the India-GCC Joint Action Plan 2024–28. This plan facilitates cooperation across several sectors, including health, trade, agriculture, food security, transportation, energy, and culture.

The meeting also highlighted the resumption of negotiations for a free trade agreement between India and the six-member GCC. The GCC currently serves as India’s largest trade partner, with bilateral trade reaching approximately $178 billion in 2024-25. Additionally, the discussions addressed the welfare of the more than 9 million Indian diaspora members living in the Gulf region.