Gulf Cooperation Council

April 28, 2026 4:40 PM

Gulf leaders to meet in Saudi Arabia to discuss response to Iranian strikes

Saudi Arabia will host an exceptional meeting of the Gulf Cooperation Council in Jeddah on Tuesday, the first in-person meeting of Gulf leaders since their states became a front in the Iran war two months ago. A Gulf official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the meeting aimed to craft a response to the thousands of Iranian missile and drone attacks Gulf states have faced since the U.S. and Israel launched the war with strikes on Iran on February 28. The war has seen key energy infrast...

April 10, 2026 9:24 PM

India, GCC stress dialogue, stability and supply chain resilience amid regional tensions

India and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) have reaffirmed their commitment to regional stability, resilient supply chains, and stronger economic cooperation amid ongoing geopolitical uncertainties in West Asia. Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal held a virtual meeting with Jasem Mohamed Al Budaiwi, Secretary General of the Gulf Cooperation Council, to discuss key regional and economic issues. During the interaction, Goyal welcomed the recently announced ceasefire in the regio...

March 27, 2026 2:43 PM

GCC calls for inclusion in US-Iran talks as gulf concerns grow over strike pause

GCC countries are calling for direct involvement in upcoming U.S.-Iran talks as concern grows over President Donald Trump’s decision to extend the pause on strikes against Iranian energy infrastructure until April 6. GCC Secretary-General Jasem Al-Budaiwi said Gulf states should be included in negotiations to help safeguard regional stability, amid fears that the diplomatic window could allow Tehran to strengthen its position in the Strait of Hormuz while missile and drone threats remain unre...

March 12, 2026 7:29 PM

GCC Intensifies Defence Coordination After Drone and Missile Attacks Escalate Regional Crisis

Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries are intensifying coordination after a series of attacks that have pushed the region into one of its most serious security crises in decades. Officials say the bloc has shifted from diplomatic mediation to a posture of active defence following the escalation that began on the twenty-eighth of February. Since then, several member states have reported waves of drone and missile attacks targeting strategic infrastructure and urban areas, raising concerns abou...

February 25, 2026 10:08 AM

India, GCC sign Joint Statement to begin FTA negotiations

India and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) on Tuesday formally launched negotiations for a comprehensive Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with the signing of a Joint Statement in New Delhi. The Joint Statement was signed by Union Minister of Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal and GCC Secretary General Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi, in the presence of senior officials and delegations from both sides. Speaking on the occasion, Goyal said the Joint Statement, along with the Terms of Reference for the FTA s...

February 5, 2026 10:42 PM

India, Gulf Cooperation Council sign terms of reference for Free Trade Agreement

India and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) on Thursday signed the Terms of Reference (ToR) for negotiations on a proposed Free Trade Agreement (FTA), marking a significant step towards deepening economic ties between the two sides. The ToR was signed at Vanijya Bhawan, New Delhi, by Ajay Bhadoo, Additional Secretary and Chief Negotiator at the Department of Commerce, and Dr. Raja Al Marzouqi, Chief Negotiator of the GCC Secretariat General. The signing took place in the presence of Union Comm...

January 5, 2026 10:15 AM

GCC forces take part as Gulf Shield 2026 begins in Saudi Arabia

Gulf Cooperation Council forces have begun a major joint military exercise in Saudi Arabia aimed at strengthening collective defence and improving regional military coordination. The Saudi ministry of defence said the exercise, titled “Gulf Shield 2026,” brings together forces from all GCC member states, to enhance combat readiness and deepen joint operational integration. It said the drills are designed to improve coordination among participating forces and to raise the efficiency of joint...

August 13, 2025 3:22 PM

Kuwait Introduces Visa-on-Arrival for All GCC Residents, Easing Travel for Indian Expats

In a move to boost regional connectivity, Kuwait has introduced a visa-on-arrival (VoA) facility for all residents holding valid residency permits in Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, including the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Bahrain, and Oman. Effective immediately, expatriates can obtain a one-month tourist visa upon arrival at Kuwait International Airport or other entry points, provided their GCC residence permit is valid for at least six months. Previously restricted to select profess...

September 9, 2024 7:05 PM

GCC Foreign Ministers Hold Talks in Riyadh, Engage with International Partners

The 161st Ministerial Council meeting of the Gulf Cooperation Council took place on Monday in the Saudi capital, chaired by Qatari Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani. The meeting was attended by GCC foreign ministers. Alongside the GCC Council meeting, separate ministerial-level discussions were held between the GCC and India, the Russian Federation, and the Republic of Brazil.The seventh GCC-Russia strategic dialogue meeting was held with Ru...

September 9, 2024 3:59 PM

S Jaishankar Engages in Diplomatic Talks on Sidelines of GCC Meeting

External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar held a series of bilateral meetings with foreign ministers from Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries and Brazil on the sidelines of the inaugural India-GCC Foreign Ministers' meeting in Riyadh. These discussions covered a wide range of bilateral, regional, and global issues. During his meeting with Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan, Dr. Jaishankar reviewed the progress in bilateral relations and shared perspectives on both global and region...