Indian investments growing in Arab nations: MoS Vardhan

Union Minister of State Kirti Vardhan Singh on Friday talked about how India is connected to the Arab countries through financial services, food cooperation, energy cooperation and agricultural trade. Also, he stated that the trade between India and the Arab world is estimated at approximately $215 billion, according to a Press release by FICCI.

Vardhan further added that India is growing and becoming a major trade partner because of the investments made by Indian businesses in Arab countries and the growing state of the Indian economy.

Dr Siddeek Ahmad, Co-Chair, FICCI Arab Council, spoke at length about the various previous and upcoming strategic cooperations between India and the Arab world, like the India-UAE Bilateral Investment Treaty or the Global Economic Cooperation 2026, being organised by the Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India, in Mumbai from February 17-19, 2026.

He further added how GEC 2026, which is conceived as a closed-door strategic platform, will bring together political leadership, global capital and policy thinkers to deliberate on economic cooperation and the structural shifts which are reshaping the global economy.

Further, he discussed the increase in trade between India and the Arab countries with various cooperations like economic corridors, infrastructural investments and even space cooperation.

Lastly, he proposed the idea of VISA on arrival for FICCI members in Arab nations, and how it could be a very helpful step to further improve cooperation between FICCI and Arab countries. Dr Waiel Awwad, Secy General In-charge, IACCIA, discussed how India and the Arab world have been connected, historically through centuries-old ties rooted in trade, culture, and people-to-people exchanges across the Indian Ocean. In the present, this happens through various industry-led cooperations.

Further, he discussed what both partners could offer to each other. India, being a major player in research and innovation, the IT sector and agriculture, and Arab countries, being important in the energy sector, foreign investments and offering a strategic location.

Shishir Priyadarshi, President, Chintan Research Foundation, discussed CRF’s role in policy formulation and advocacy by bridging the gap between policymakers and the industry by integrating practical insights into its research and advocacy efforts.  He further discussed the importance of mutual trust between India and Arab nations in the fields of commerce and geopolitics which could drive this relationship forward. Lastly, he pointed out the importance of good implementation for turning each step into market access.

Dr Khaled Hanafy, Secy General, Union of Arab Chambers, added how it’s important to consider the combined GDPs of India and the Arab world, which is around $24 (PPP) trillion rather than just $4-4.5 trillion in nominal terms. He then stated the importance of a strategic alliance between India and the GCC group of countries because of the changes in the Arab world over the last few decades. He argued that Indians and Arabs should grow, not just traditionally but also through a strong strategic alliance.

Ahmed Aboul Gheit, Secy General League of Arab Nations, said the establishment of the chamber would help India and Arab states cooperate, further he discussed the historical connection and growth of trade between India and Arab nations. Lastly, he discussed how the India-Arab Chamber can support small enterprises and help facilitate business growth.

Prashant Tewari, Chairman, Pioneer Media Group, further restated the significance of the cooperation between India and Arab states, and added that the media group will act as a catalyst in boosting the India-Arab partnership.