His Excellency Mr Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi, Secretary General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), affirmed that ties between GCC member states and the Republic of India are experiencing growing momentum, driven by a shared determination to advance cooperation and partnership in service of mutual interests, while reinforcing regional security, stability, and prosperity.
His Excellency’s remarks were delivered during his address at the 2nd GCC-India Joint Ministerial Meeting, co-chaired by His Excellency Dr Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Bahrain—Chairman of the current session—and His Excellency Dr Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, Minister of External Affairs of the Republic of India, with the participation of Their Highnesses and Excellencies the Foreign Ministers of the GCC member states, on Friday (25 September 2026), on the sidelines of the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York.
His Excellency the Secretary General stated that both sides attach high priority to the sustained execution of the Joint Action Plan adopted in 2024, building upon the outcomes of technical meetings convened across various domains, thereby translating agreed frameworks into tangible initiatives and practical projects.
His Excellency pointed out that commencing Free Trade Agreement (FTA) negotiations between the GCC and India marks a pivotal milestone toward broadening economic and investment horizons. He emphasised the imperative of deepening collaboration across energy, technology, innovation, digital transformation, industry, agriculture, and services, alongside generating expanded opportunities for the private sector, stimulating cross-border investments, and fostering sustained business-to-business engagement between the two sides.
His Excellency also underlined the necessity of continuous Gulf-Indian coordination in countering terrorism and violent extremism, addressing conflicts and humanitarian crises, exchanging expertise and information, and aligning diplomatic positions across multilateral arenas to bolster international peace and security and foster political resolutions, as well as cultivating cultural, academic, scientific research, and technological partnerships.
Turning to regional affairs, His Excellency the Secretary General addressed the Iranian attacks targeting GCC member states since 28 February 2026, despite GCC states not being party to the conflict. He noted that the disruption of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz underscored the direct nexus between the safety of regional maritime routes, global energy security, and international supply chains. His Excellency stressed the importance of Iran's full compliance with UN Security Council Resolution 2817 and the unconditional restoration of maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz and Bab Al-Mandab to the status quo preceding 28 February 2026.
Moreover, His Excellency commended the Republic of India’s stance rejecting Iranian attacks on GCC member states and supporting international endeavours aimed at safeguarding maritime security and reopening the Strait of Hormuz, reiterating the value of continued bilateral consultations regarding energy security and vital sea lanes.
Concluding his address, His Excellency the Secretary General voiced his aspiration that the ministerial meeting would further bolster the GCC-India Strategic Dialogue, consolidate achieved milestones, and unlock fresh avenues of cooperation, expressing his appreciation for India’s ongoing commitment to strengthening ties with GCC member states.
