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Friday, April 24, 2026
TopicGulf Cooperation Council

Topic: Gulf Cooperation Council

FTA partners drive India’s trade surge as reliance on non-FTA countries dips, says NITI Aayog report

Share of trade with FTA partners rose from 4.6% in 2006 to 28.8% in 2024. India is currently negotiating or advancing agreements with US, Israel, GCC, Canada & Mexico.

Trump, Netanyahu’s Iran gamble: The regime change rebound

American objectives are unmet. They neither have muscle nor motivation to resume the war. As for Iran, the regime didn’t just survive, it’s now led by more radical individuals.

Iran war prompts Ukraine-Saudi Arabia defence deal. Kyiv seeks Patriot missile swap for anti-drone tech

Gulf nations have borne the brunt of Iran’s retaliation, using its inexpensive Shahed 136 drones, to US-Israel attacks. Ukraine has repelled such attacks from Russia for years.

How Iran war threatens India’s ‘Goldilocks’ economy & puts a dragon in the room

War in Middle East can affect India’s strong growth, which IMF forecast at 6.4% earlier and also push inflation higher from 2.75% recorded in January, global media predicts.

Modi visit ‘important, strategic’, says Oman envoy. ‘Right time to diversify trade beyond oil & gas’

PM Modi & Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal are expected to visit Muscat next week for signing of FTA. Trip coincides with discussions on India purchasing spare parts for its Jaguar fleet.

India & Bahrain commit to greater space, defence cooperation ahead of Manama’s GCC presidency

EAM Jaishankar met with his Bahraini counterpart Abdullatif bin Rashid Alzayani Monday and indicated new areas of cooperation that 'hold considerable promise' for ties. 

Elevation of ties to strategic partnership, potential FTA. Key takeaways from Qatari Amir’s visit

The West Asian nation is looking to build momentum in ties with India following challenges surrounding the arrest of 8 Indian Navy veterans in 2022.

Gulf Cooperation Council is using agritech to increase food security

Among other foodtech initiatives in the GCC, Qatar is investing heavily in alternative, sustainable protein technology, from insect farming to cultured meat production.

ASEAN, GCC ambassadors meet, explore new initiatives

The meeting at the ASEAN Headquarters Thursday discussed the progress of the ASEAN-GCC Framework of Cooperation (FOC) 2024-2028.

Arab nations key to ‘bulldozer governance’, and why TV debates need to lower decibel levels

The best cartoons of the day, chosen by the editors at ThePrint.

On Camera

Hormuz crisis won’t replace the dollar with yuan. De-dollarisation is a myth

Recent data does not support any dramatic shift away from the dollar. As per IMF, the share of international transactions conducted in dollars has declined from 56.90% to 56.77%.

Haryana’s new industrial policy in the works, but industry says old problems remain unsolved

Increase in employment subsidy, Rs 500 crore for estate revamp, new townships in pipeline—but land cost, power breakdowns and inspector raj top among key worries for industry leaders.

Military pushes for private participation in space, more Indian satellites. ‘Can’t rely on single entity’ 

CDS Anil Chauhan says future space capability will not be built by government agencies alone. ‘It will be co-developed with industry, start-ups, and technology innovators’.

Trump, Netanyahu’s Iran gamble: The regime change rebound

American objectives are unmet. They neither have muscle nor motivation to resume the war. As for Iran, the regime didn’t just survive, it’s now led by more radical individuals.