Hello, Marhaba, and Namaste!
Welcome to the fourth issue of the India–Gulf Digest, a monthly digest of official statements and press releases on India’s engagement with the Arab Gulf states: Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE. Curated by Irfan Ahmed Nazir, this issue brings together the major developments in India–Gulf relations during September 2026.
Political and Diplomatic Relations
India condemns continued attacks in the Gulf region
India condemned the attacks on commercial vessels MT El Gaia on September 13, 2026, and MV Cape Dao on September 23, 2026, both off the coast of the Gulf of Oman. Thirteen Indian crew members aboard MT El Gaia were rescued, while one remained missing. Nineteen Indian crew members aboard MV Cape Dao were rescued, while one lost his life. India coordinated the rescue operations through its Embassy in Muscat, in coordination with the Omani authorities. In September, India also condemned the Houthi attacks targeting Saudi Arabia, expressing concern over threats to the holy city of Makkah and attempts to undermine regional stability and freedom of navigation through the Bab el-Mandeb Strait.
- Source: Official Spokesperson’s response to a media query on the reported Houthi attacks in Saudi Arabia, MEA India, September 9, 2026.
- Source: Statement on the attack on a commercial vessel off the coast of Oman, MEA India, September 13, 2026.
- Source: Official Spokesperson’s response to media queries regarding the drone attack near Makkah, MEA India, September 16, 2026.
- Source: Statement on the attack on a commercial vessel off the coast of Oman, MEA India, September 23, 2026.
Prime Minister Modi speaks with UAE President
On September 18, 2026, Prime Minister Narendra Modi received a telephone call from UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan. The leaders discussed bilateral relations and regional developments, and the UAE President congratulated the Prime Minister on the successful conclusion of the 18th BRICS Summit in New Delhi. Earlier, on September 12, the Prime Minister met Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan on the sidelines of the summit. The leaders welcomed the announcement by the UAE’s International Holding Company of an investment of US$11.5 billion in an integrated greenfield aluminium project in Odisha. They acknowledged the potential role of L’Imad, the UAE’s newest sovereign investment fund, in further strengthening the India–UAE relations.
- Source: Prime Minister meets with the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi on the sidelines of the BRICS Summit in New Delhi, MEA India, September 12, 2026.
- Source: Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi receives a telephone call from the President of the UAE (September 18, 2026), MEA India, September 18, 2026.
- Related: Prime Minister condoles the passing of His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, PIB India, September 21, 2026.
EAM Jaishankar meets Gulf counterparts in New York
External Affairs Minister (EAM) Dr. S. Jaishankar held a series of meetings with regional counterparts on the sidelines of the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York. On September 22, 2026, he participated in the India–France–UAE Trilateral Ministerial Meeting with his French and Emirati counterparts. On September 25, EAM attended the India–GCC Troika Ministerial Meeting, where the leaders reviewed progress under the India–GCC Joint Action Plan (2024–2028), adopted at the first India–GCC Joint Ministerial Meeting for Strategic Dialogue in 2024. They also discussed new avenues for cooperation as well as the evolving regional situation.
- Source: India-France-UAE Trilateral Ministerial Meeting, MEA India, September 23, 2026.
- Source: India-GCC Troika Ministerial Meeting, New York (September 25, 2026), MEA India, September 26, 2026.
MoS Kirti Vardhan Singh visits Saudi Arabia
Minister of State for External Affairs (MoS) Kirti Vardhan Singh visited Riyadh from September 5 to 8, 2026 for an official visit to Saudi Arabia. He met Saudi officials to discuss cooperation in human resources, skill development, the environment, and climate change. He also interacted with members of the Indian community in the Kingdom.
- Source: Visit of MoS for External Affairs & Environment, Forest and Climate Change Shri Kirti Vardhan Singh to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (September 5 – 8, 2026), MEA India, September 4, 2026.
- Related: Union Minister for Finance & Corporate Affairs Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman will embark on an official visit to Qatar from 27 to 29 September 2026, PIB India, September 27, 2026.
- Related: India Showcases Justice Reforms and Global Legal Partnerships at 15th UN Congress in Abu Dhabi, PIB India, September 30, 2026.
India–Kuwait Foreign Office Consultations held in Kuwait
The eighth round of India–Kuwait Foreign Office Consultations was held in Kuwait on September 8, 2026. Both sides discussed ways to strengthen their strategic partnership across political relations, trade and investment, defense and security, energy, technology, agriculture, health, culture, and people-to-people ties.
- Source: 8th India-Kuwait Foreign Office Consultations (September 08, 2026), MEA India, September 8, 2026.
Economic Cooperation
India-UAE High Level Joint Task Force Meeting held in Mumbai
The 14th India–UAE High Level Joint Task Force on Investments, co-chaired by Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal and ADIA Managing Director Sheikh Hamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, was held in Mumbai on September 28, 2026. The meeting reviewed bilateral investment flows and progress on joint projects. Discussions covered cooperation in energy, infrastructure, technology, AI and financial services, with both sides reaffirming their ambition to achieve US$200 billion in bilateral trade by 2032.
- Source: 14th India-UAE High Level Joint Task Force Meeting Held in Mumbai, PIB India, September 28, 2026.
Note on Sources: This digest is based on official statements and press releases published on the websites of the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), the Press Information Bureau (PIB), and the Indian missions in the Gulf. Featured Image: BAPS Hindu Mandir, Abu Dhabi, 2024.
