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Key Points

Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal is heading to Qatar for a crucial joint commission meeting. He'll be co-chairing discussions with Qatar's Commerce Minister to strengthen the $14 billion trade relationship. The talks will cover everything from removing trade barriers to advancing the proposed comprehensive economic partnership agreement. This visit marks the first ministerial-level meeting since upgrading from a joint working group earlier this year.

Key Points: Piyush Goyal Visits Qatar for Joint Trade Commission Meeting

  • Ministers to review $14 billion bilateral trade performance and address existing barriers
  • Discussions will focus on advancing India-Qatar Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement
  • Cooperation expands to finance, agriculture, tourism and healthcare sectors
  • Business delegation engages with Qatari chambers and investment authorities
  • First ministerial-level commission upgraded from joint working group status
3 min read

Piyush Goyal to visit Qatar from October 6-7; to co-chair Qatar-India joint commission meeting

Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal co-chairs India-Qatar Joint Commission meeting in Doha to boost $14 billion trade ties and advance CEPA negotiations.

"Goyal's visit underscores the importance that India attaches to its trade and investment ties with Qatar - Ministry of Commerce and Industry"

New Delhi, October 5

Union Minister of Commerce and Industry, Piyush Goyal is visiting Doha, Qatar for the meeting of the Qatar-India Joint Commission on Trade and Commerce from 6-7 October 2025, the Ministry said in a release on Sunday.

The meeting will be co-chaired by H.E. Sheikh Faisal bin Thani bin Faisal Al Thani, Minister of Commerce and Industry of Qatar.

The release added that Goyal's 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 (GCC) with bilateral trade estimated at over USD 14 billion in 2024-25.

On his first visit to Qatar, Goyal is also accompanied by senior officials from different Ministries. 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.

The talks are likely to include deliberations on the proposed India-Qatar FTA, with the way forward on finalization of the Terms of Reference (ToR) for the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) which will further strengthen economic cooperation between both countries.

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.

A business delegation consisting of senior representatives of industries is also accompanying the Union Minister for the first meeting of the India Qatar Joint Business Council. The business delegation will also be actively engaging with Qatari businesses and entities, including Qatar Chamber, Qatar Financial Centre, Invest Qatar and Qatar Free Zones Authority.

On the sidelines of the visit, Goyal will also be meeting other Qatari dignitaries and top businessmen from Qatar Chamber and Qatari Businessmen Association.

In addition, he will engage with representatives of the Doha Chapter of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI), the Indian Business and Professionals Council (IBPC), Qatar, as well as senior members of Qatari industries and the Indian community in Qatar.

The 1st meeting of the India-Qatar JWG on Trade and Commerce at the Joint Secretary level was held in July 2024. During the visit of Amir of Qatar to India in February 2025, both sides recognized trade as a key pillar of bilateral cooperation and agreed to upgrade the Joint Working Group to the Joint Commission on Trade and Commerce, to be led by their respective Commerce Ministers.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

R
Rohit P
$14 billion trade is impressive! But we need to ensure that Indian workers in Qatar get better working conditions and rights. Economic growth should benefit everyone.
A
Arjun K
Free Trade Agreement with Qatar could be a game-changer for Indian exports. Our textiles, pharmaceuticals, and IT services have huge potential in Gulf markets. Jai Hind!
S
Sarah B
Good to see cooperation expanding beyond trade to include environment and healthcare. These partnerships are crucial for sustainable development in both countries.
M
Michael C
While I appreciate the economic diplomacy, I hope the minister also addresses the concerns of Indian professionals working in Qatar regarding their career growth and family welfare.
K
Kavya N
The inclusion of tourism and culture in discussions is wonderful! Qatar has amazing infrastructure and India has rich heritage - perfect combination for boosting people-to-people connections ✨
V
Vikram M
Hope this leads to more investment opportunities for Indian startups in Qatar. The Gulf region has massive potential for our tech companies looking to expand globally.

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