India, Qatar likely to discuss proposed FTA during Piyush Goyal's maiden visit this week

New Delhi: India and Qatar are likely to discuss their proposed free trade agreement (FTA) with the way forward on finalization of the Terms of Reference for the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) which would further strengthen economic cooperation between both countries, the government said Sunday.

The two sides are expected to hold wide-ranging discussions reviewing bilateral trade performance, addressing existing trade barriers and non-tariff issues, and exploring avenues to enhance trade and investment flows during commerce and industry minister Piyush Goyal’s maiden visit to Doha, the commerce and industry ministry said in a statement.

“Cooperation in other key sectors such as finance, agriculture, environment, tourism, culture, and healthcare will also form an integral part of the discussions aimed at deepening the multifaceted partnership between India and Qatar,” it said.

Goyal is visiting Doha, Qatar for the meeting of the Qatar-India Joint Commission on Trade and Commerce from October 6-7.
India’s goods exports to Qatar in FY25 were $1.68 billion while imports were $12.46 billion.

“This visit underscores the importance that India attaches to its trade and investment ties with Qatar, one of our important trading partners in the Gulf Cooperation Council with bilateral trade estimated at over $14 billion in 2024-25,” the ministry added.

A business delegation consisting of senior representatives of industries is also accompanying Goyal for the first meeting of the India Qatar Joint Business Council where it would engage with Qatari businesses and entities, including Qatar Chamber, Qatar Financial Centre, Invest Qatar and Qatar Free Zones Authority.