India is swiftly broadening its strategic partnerships in the Gulf region, as reported by the Minister of State for External Affairs, Pabitra Margherita, told India’s Parliament.
The most recent of these partnerships was forged with Qatar last month, during the Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamed Al Thani’s visit to New Delhi, the Minister told the Lok Sabha, the lower House of Parliament.
Two months prior, in December 2024, a similar partnership was established with Kuwait during a visit to the country by India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
India aims to further strengthen its ties with countries in the Gulf, the Middle East, North Africa, and the Mediterranean regions, Margherita informed Lok Sabha Member Mukeshkumar Chandrakaant Dalal.
The bilateral relations between India and the Gulf region have been historically strong and continue to grow across various sectors. Further, India’s partnerships with the Gulf countries are multifaceted, reflecting shared interests in trade, energy, defense, labor migration, and cultural exchanges.
As India continues to expand its presence in the Gulf, these partnerships are likely to play an increasingly important role in shaping the region’s economic and geopolitical future.
Margherita said that, “India is leveraging its diplomatic efforts and entering into multi-faceted strategic partnerships, enhancing political ties, strengthening national security, fostering economic and investment growth, securing energy resources, deepening people-to-people ties, expanding cooperation in technology, innovation, infrastructure development, and increasing global influence.”
“India intends to mobilize private sector capital and expertise to help modernize infrastructure, decarbonize industries, improve public health, and promote the development of critical, emerging and green technologies,” the Minister further added.
