Evolution of India-GCC Strategic Ties: From Energy to Defence Opportunities

📌 Summary:

• Context: US-Israel air strikes on Iran (began Feb 28) have engulfed GCC states in missile/drone attacks; ~10 million Indians in Middle East; India's energy and economic security at risk
• India-Gulf ties significantly strengthened under PM Modi through personalised diplomacy; GCC = India's largest bloc of energy imports
• India-UAE CEPA (2022): India's first CEPA in a decade; bilateral trade tripled; UAE is India's 3rd largest trading partner
• UAE Minister of State for International Cooperation visited India in March 2026 — emphasized need to enhance maritime security cooperation (Strait of Hormuz context)
• NSA Ajit Doval visited Saudi Arabia on April 19, 2026 — pivotal strategic engagement with key GCC partner
• Defence cooperation deepening: Almost all Gulf states now buying Indian defence equipment; defence has become a new pillar beyond oil and energy
• India-GCC FTA negotiations ongoing; could deepen trade ties further
• Key vulnerabilities: ~85% of India's crude from Middle East; remittances from 10 million Indian diaspora; export markets

📌 Prelims Facts:

• GCC = Gulf Cooperation Council; 6 members: Saudi Arabia, UAE, Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain, Oman
• India-UAE CEPA = Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (signed February 2022)
• Strait of Hormuz: narrows between Iran and Oman; critical choke point for Gulf oil exports
• I2U2 = India-Israel-UAE-US quadrilateral grouping (includes key GCC member UAE)