New Delhi, Feb. 25 -- India and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) on Tuesday formalised the start of negotiations for a comprehensive and mutually beneficial Free Trade Agreement (FTA) by signing a joint statement.

The agreement to begin talks was endorsed by India's Union Minister of Commerce and Industry, Piyush Goyal, and the GCC Secretary General, Jasem Mohamed Al Budaiwi.

Goyal took to X and stated, "Delighted to welcome H.E. Jasem Mohammad Al Budaiwi, Secretary General of the Gulf Cooperation Council, @GCCSG. We signed the Joint Statement for the India-GCC FTA, building on the Terms of Reference signed on February 5, 2026, formally launching negotiations for a comprehensive and mutually beneficial agreement."

"This marks a major...