India's Union commerce minister Piyush Goyal has conveyed the country's solidarity with the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) nations, reiterating its support in addressing supply chain challenges for essential food items amid the ongoing conflict in West Asia.
Goyal expressed hope that the ceasefire announced in the region would be enduring and pave the way for lasting peace and stability, the commerce ministry said in a statement.
India is intensely engaged with GCC, with two cabinet ministers holding physical meetings with the bloc's members. Petroleum minister Hardeep Singh Puri was already in Qatar on April 9 and 10, and external affairs minister S Jaishankar is heading to the United Arab Emirates on Saturday.
Goyal also conveyed India's unequivocal support for the UAE while condemning recent attacks in the country. He thanked the UAE minister of foreign trade Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi for continued assistance to the Indian diaspora amidst recurring uncertainties.
India and the UAE have signed a free trade agreement (FTA) in 2022, and both sides emphasized the need for coordinated efforts to ensure smooth trade flows.
