UNBELIEVABLE: Gulf cooperation council - The Untold Story

Xi Jinping says Middle East must not become battleground for great-power rivalry

Chinese President Xi Jinping on Monday said the Middle East and Gulf region should not become a battleground for great-power rivalry, offering to work with Arab nations to restore peace and ensure lasting stability amid escalating tensions in the region.

The Times of India · 13h ago

India’s FTAs to open access to $85 trillion market; Piyush Goyal urges exporters to go global

India's trade agreements are expected to provide exporters preferential access to markets with a combined GDP of $85 trillion, covering 76% of the global economy, Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal said. He urged businesses to expand internationally, improve product quality and build global brands as India pursues additional trade pacts.

The Economic Times · Oct 30

Piyush Goyal says India-Chile FTA talks ' quite ripe' for conclusion, Canada negotiations making progress

India is making progress on free trade agreements (FTAs) with several countries, with negotiations with Chile nearing conclusion and talks with Canada advancing, Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal has said. Discussions with the Southern African Customs Union have recently begun, while efforts to expand trade arrangements with Mercosur continue.…

The Economic Times · Oct 27

Five Gulf nations pursue Schengen visa waiver: What travellers should know

Millions of Indians live and work in the Gulf, but a Gulf residence permit does not open Europe's doors visa-free. That distinction is central to a proposal in which Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman and Qatar seek easier access to the Schengen area for their citizens. With the EU-GCC summit…

The Economic Times · Oct 13

PM Modi's free trade push could lead to $140 billion GDP gain for India

A more protectionist US could unexpectedly benefit India as New Delhi expands its free-trade agreements (FTAs) to diversify export markets and attract investment. A World Trade Organization-based model estimates that India’s concluded and proposed trade deals, including agreements with the EU and New Zealand, could add about $140 billion to…

The Economic Times · Oct 13

Trump says Witkoff, Kushner met Iranian officials, shortly after warning he may 'annihilate' Iran

US President Donald Trump met with Iranian officials while attending the UN General Assembly to address ongoing tensions. This engagement follows months of stalled communications after a collapsed ceasefire in June. Trump mentioned a possible meeting with Iran's President Masoud Pezeshkian during the assembly discussions. Meanwhile, discussions concerning the war…

The Economic Times · Sep 23

Water makes the world go round

The past few months have offered a stark reminder of the importance -- and precariousness -- of water supplies. The Gulf Cooperation Council countries, which together supply roughly 62 million people with drinking water drawn almost entirely from the sea, have seen their desalination plants targeted by drones and missiles…

Bangkok Post · Jul 5

To drive up NRI investments, banks make FCNR deposits attractive with up to 7.1% return on dollar deposits

India saw inflows topping $155 billion in 2025-26 via remittances. Add another estimated $50 billion from this scheme which will run until September, and the country is potentially looking at inflows of at least $150 billion this year. While Gulf Cooperation Council countries have historically dominated India’s inward remittances, advanced…

The Economic Times · Jun 15

How severe has the economic impact of the Iran war been for the Gulf states?

The US and Israel’s war on Iran has cast a long shadow over the Gulf. It has placed many of the economies that make up the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) regional grouping – Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Saudi Arabia – under substantial strain.

The Conversation · May 14

Saudi Arabia launched secret retaliatory airstrikes on Iran during regional war: Report

Saudi Arabia conducted unpublicized airstrikes on Iran in late March, marking the first direct military action on Iranian soil in retaliation for attacks within the kingdom. This shift in approach followed Iranian strikes on Gulf Cooperation Council states, leading to an informal de-escalation understanding between Riyadh and Tehran.

The Times of India · May 13