Holding of first India-GCC Ministerial reflects sincere, mutual desire to enhance ties: GCC Secy Gen AlBudaiwi

Riyadh/New Delhi, Sep10 (Represesntative) Secretary General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Jasem Mohamed AlBudaiwi said today that the convening of the first ministerial meeting of the Strategic Dialogue between the GCC and India reflects a sincere and mutual desire to enhance and develop relations in a way that serves the interests of the peoples and reinforces stability and prosperity in the region. AlBudaiwi’s statement came during the first joint ministerial meeting of the strategic dialogue between the GCC and India, held today under the chairmanship of Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Qatar and current President of the ministerial council Shaikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, with the participation of the foreign ministers of the GCC countries and the Minister of External Affairs of India, Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, Saudi Press Agency reported. In his speech during the meeting, AlBudaiwi highlighted that the relations between the GCC countries and India are historical and deep-rooted, extending over several centuries and built on foundations of mutual trust and fruitful cooperation. He emphasised that these relations continuously witness significant developments, reflecting the strong will of both parties to enhance the partnership in various fields. He also referred to the areas of cooperation outlined in the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed by both parties in 2022, which serves as a key starting point for collaboration. He added that political dialogue and cooperation between the GCC countries and India are fundamental pillars of the relationship, both bilaterally and jointly. He noted that the political challenges facing the region and the world require ongoing coordination and constructive dialogue to enhance security and stability, and that past experiences have demonstrated that close cooperation has significantly contributed to addressing several crises and political challenges.

AlBudaiwi said that global political and security challenges, such as terrorism, extremism, regional conflicts, and humanitarian crises, necessitate increased cooperation and coordination between the GCC countries and India. He stressed that unified efforts and stances in international forums will enhance their ability to influence and contribute to achieving peace and security. He also underlined that security cooperation extends beyond addressing challenges to include promoting peace and security in the region and globally. Through information exchange and security coordination, “we can work to prevent crises and conflicts before they occur and collaborate on regional and international peace and security initiatives, contributing to creating a stable and secure environment for our peoples.” He pointed to effective mechanisms for political dialogue and continuous consultation between the GCC countries and India, emphasizing that these tools provide numerous opportunities for exchanging views and building common understandings that enhance security and stability, as well as strengthen bilateral relations. AlBudaiwi emphasized that economic cooperation is a crucial aspect of “our bilateral relationship,” forming the foundation for trade and investment relations. He cited that trade between the GCC countries and India reached approximately $174 billion in 2022, accounting for about 11% of the GCC’s total trade volume. He noted that this reflects the significance of this cooperation, as GCC exports were valued at around $91 billion, while imports amounted to $83 billion, enhancing economic integration and providing growth and market expansion opportunities. Furthermore, GCC investments in India reached approximately $6 billion in various projects, reflecting mutual trust and promising market opportunities on both sides.

“By enhancing joint investments, we can achieve significant economic benefits, including job creation and economic growth. Additionally, there are substantial joint investment opportunities in renewable energy sectors, contributing to sustainability, diversifying energy sources, and protecting the environment,” he said. AlBudaiwi also affirmed that cooperation in technology and innovation is another critical focus, noting that the exchange of expertise in advanced technologies and scientific research can significantly advance development on both sides. He highlighted potential collaboration in areas such as artificial intelligence, big data, and financial technology, which would enhance innovation capacity and achieve sustainable growth. Infrastructure investment, including roads, bridges, airports, and ports, is another area of importance. “Investing in infrastructure projects can enhance connectivity between our countries and achieve economic integration. We can benefit from Indian expertise in this area to develop infrastructure in the GCC, thereby enhancing our economic capabilities and providing new opportunities for growth and development.” He further stated, “Cultural cooperation can build bridges of communication and understanding, strengthening bilateral relations at the popular level and reflecting the common values that connect us.” Emphasizing the significance of academic and scientific cooperation, AlBudaiwi noted that this aspect of cultural collaboration allows universities and academic institutions in the GCC and India to cooperate in scientific research and development. He added that both sides have agreed on a Joint Action Plan for the upcoming period (2024–2028), aiming to set specific programs for advancing cooperation in these fields. “The General Secretariat has also been tasked with coordinating between the Republic of India and the GCC to begin implementing this plan at the earliest opportunity and to develop and enhance it as deemed appropriate by both sides, making it a contributor to the robust relations between them,” he clarified.