The Centre for Public Policy Research (CPPR), a think tank based in Kochi, India, held a two-day diplomatic event in collaboration with the country’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on January 16-17 to take forward India’s relations with Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries.
The event, called Kochi Dialogue, was held in Kochi–the business, financial, and industrial capital of the state of Kerala. According to the MEA, this was the first-of-its-kind Track 1.5 Dialogue being organised in Kerala on India’s relations with the Gulf region. The theme of the inaugural edition of the Dialogue was ‘India’s Look West Policy in Action: People, Prosperity and Progress’.
The dialogue was virtually inaugurated by Kirti Vardhan Singh, Union Minister of State for External Affairs, Government of India, with a special address by GCC secretary-general His Excellency Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi. The inaugural remarks were made by Raghuram S, joint secretary, policy planning and research division in the MEA, and CPPR chairman D Dhanuraj.
The high-profile event was attended by diplomatic communities and delegates from the GCC countries—Oman, Kuwait, UAE, Bahrain, Qatar and Saudi Arabia—along with diplomats from Australia, Malaysia, Sri Lanka and India.
According to a press statement issued by CPPR, the dialogue saw “intense discussions, deliberations and opportunities on various themes like trade, energy cooperation, healthcare, education, technology, diaspora connections, and maritime strategic partnerships to further strengthen India-GCC relations”.
Speaking at the event, Vice Admiral G Ashok Kumar PVSM, AVSM, VSM (National Maritime Security Coordinator) emphasised the need to address non-traditional threats to maritime security collaboratively by India and the GCC. “The complexity and scope of maritime security have expanded. I request the GCC countries to enter into more White Shipping Agreements and for International Liaison Officers collectively as GCC or individual countries,” he said.
Trade, Economy & Investments
Ambassador T P Seetharam moderated the first technical session on Opportunities and Challenges in Enhancing Trade, Economy & Investments, which explored avenues to enhance trade and investment collaboration between India and the GCC nations. The panellists —Ahlam Yusuf Janahi, president of the Bahrain Business Women’s Society, Atul Puri, managing partner and co-founder of SW India, Ranjeet Mehta, CEO and secretary-general of the PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PHDCCI), Aditya Vikram Dhanuka, chairperson, ICAI Kuwait Chapter, and Ajay Thampy, chairman, Navio Shipping Pvt Ltd—emphasised integrating education, technology, health, and IT sectors while fostering people-to-people connections to navigate a globalised world.
The sessions saw key proposals on harmonising tax systems and enhancing bilateral collaboration to overcome bureaucratic hurdles, addressing non-traditional maritime threats like piracy and cyberattacks, and enhancing domestic shipbuilding capabilities. The spirited discussion highlighted the potential of initiatives such as CEPA (comprehensive economic partnership) and improved maritime and air connectivity, underscoring sustainability, inclusivity, and innovation as drivers of a strengthened India-GCC partnership.
Energy partnerships
The second technical session–moderated by Nissy Solomon, Hon. Trustee (Research & Programs), CPPR—was focused on enhancing India-GCC energy partnerships, emphasising diversification, sustainability, and innovation. The panellists included Esha Srivastava, joint secretary (international cooperation and vigilance) at the Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas; H. E. Ahmed Mohamed Al Kaabi, assistant undersecretary – electricity, water, and future, at the Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure, UAE; H.E. Issa Saleh Al Shibani, ambassador of Oman to India; and Siddeek Ahamed, chairman and managing director of Eram Holdings.
Healthcare and education
The third session, moderated by Ambassador T P Sreenivasan, focused on the growing synergy between India and GCC nations across healthcare, education, and investment sectors. The panellists included Dr Hafeez Rahman, chairman of Sunrise Hospitals, Francis Joseph, executive director of GEMS Education, Nandi Vardhan Mehta, CFO and investment committee member, KAAF Investments LLC; Dr D Ramanathan, founder, managing director, Sitaram Ayurveda, and Dr Nigel Kuriakose Mathew, chairman, Indian Medical Association – overseas affairs.
Ambassador Sreenivasan highlighted the evolving political and economic partnerships between India and the GCC, underscoring efforts to build a forward-looking relationship rooted in mutual benefit.
Diaspora connect
The fourth session of Kochi dialogue on leveraging the diaspora connect, moderated by Amb Venu Rajamony, delved into the various aspects of diaspora and its connectivity. The panellists were Dr Suresh Kumar, joint secretary, West Asia and North Africa (WANA) division, MEA, Zahraa Taher, founder & MD, Finmark Communications, Thaha Muhammed Abdul Kareem, president, IBPC Qatar, Ajith Kolassery, CEO, NoRKA Roots, James Mathew, CEO & managing partner of UHY James, and Shihab Kottukad, a distinguished Indian social worker.
The panellists spoke on a range of issues, including the challenges the diaspora faces, the countermeasures taken by the Central government and institutions like NORKA in Kerala, and the cultural relations between Indian and Arabic communities. The session concluded with the panellists agreeing that there needs to be more communication and exchanges between the GCC countries and India.
Maritime strategic partnerships
The fifth session of Kochi Dialogue 2025 on Securing Maritime Strategic Partnerships delved into the importance of having economic and geopolitical interests in maritime security along with political interests. The proximity of India to the GCC positions it as a strategic partner over other global powers, with increasing efforts to integrate economic, geopolitical, and security interests, was discussed by panellists: Vice Adm MP Muralidharan AVSM & Bar, NM (Retd), former director-general, Indian Coast Guard, Admiral Sunil Lanba, PVSM, AVSM, IN (Retd), former Chief of the Naval Staff of India, Dr Ebtesam Al-Ketbi, founder and president of the Emirates Policy Center (EPC), Dr Ashraf Mohamed Keshk, research fellow and director of the Strategic and International Studies Program, Derasat, Bahrain.
The discussions at Kochi Dialogue 2025 underscored the importance of strengthening India-GCC collaboration across diverse sectors, addressing trade and investment barriers, and fostering people-to-people connections.
