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Current Affairs & GKIndian Express2 May 2026
Evolution of India-GCC Strategic Ties: From Energy to Defence Opportunities
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๐ 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 โ emphasized need to enhance maritime security cooperation (Strait of Hormuz context)
- NSA Ajit Doval visited Saudi Arabia on April 19, 2026 โ 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
๐ 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)
India-GCCGulf statesenergy securityWest Asia crisisdefence cooperation
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