India to Finalise Free Trade Agreement Terms with Qatar in October

Photo:Reuters

India and Qatar are moving closer to starting a new chapter in their economic partnership. According to government officials, India is expected to finalise the terms of reference for a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with Qatar in the first week of October 2025. Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal is likely to travel to Doha on October 6 to take part in the talks and finalise the framework.

This agreement is not just a normal trade deal. It is expected to be shaped as a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), which covers a wide range of areas such as goods, services, investments, and long-term business cooperation. The idea of a CEPA between the two countries was first announced in February 2025, during the visit of Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani, to India. At that time, both sides expressed their wish to double the value of bilateral trade by 2030.

Why is this deal important?

India and Qatar already share strong ties, especially in the energy sector. Qatar is one of the world’s largest exporters of liquefied natural gas (LNG), and India is among its major buyers. India imports a large amount of LNG from Qatar to meet its growing energy demand. Apart from energy, Qatar is also home to over 800,000 Indian expatriates, who play a vital role in strengthening cultural and economic relations between the two nations.

A Free Trade Agreement would make it easier and cheaper for businesses in both countries to trade goods and services. It could open new opportunities for Indian companies in construction, infrastructure, IT, healthcare, and manufacturing, while Qatari firms could gain better access to India’s huge consumer market. Lower tariffs and fewer trade restrictions would also encourage investments from both sides.

Stay informed with the latest news. Follow DXB News Network on WhatsApp Channel 

Roadmap to 2030

Both governments have set an ambitious target to double their trade volume within the next five years. Current trade between India and Qatar includes oil, gas, petrochemicals, machinery, electronics, textiles, and food products. With the FTA in place, these sectors are expected to grow further.

Experts believe the deal could also strengthen Qatar’s role as a gateway for Indian exports to the Gulf and wider Middle East region, while India could help Qatar expand its market access in South Asia.

Upcoming Visit and Next Steps

If Minister Piyush Goyal’s visit on October 6 is confirmed, the two sides will aim to sign the terms of reference, which will set the rules, objectives, and negotiation framework for the agreement. Once this is done, detailed negotiations will begin. Usually, such negotiations can take several months, but both countries are keen to move quickly to finalise the deal given their strong economic and diplomatic ties.

The talks are also seen as part of India’s wider strategy to strengthen its trade links with Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries. India has already been exploring FTAs with other Gulf states like the UAE and Saudi Arabia. Adding Qatar to this network would make India a stronger economic partner in the region.

Political and Strategic Angle

This FTA is not only about trade. It also reflects the growing strategic partnership between India and Qatar. In a changing global economy, both countries are looking to reduce dependency on traditional partners and build stronger ties with emerging economies. For India, securing energy supplies and investments from Qatar is critical. For Qatar, building long-term cooperation with India helps diversify its economy beyond oil and gas.

The announcement of the upcoming talks has already caught the attention of business groups, investors, and global trade analysts, who see this as an important development in India–Gulf relations.