Kochi: The international conference 'Kochi Dialogue 2026', aimed at further strengthening diplomatic, economic, trade, and investment cooperation between India and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, will be held in Kochi from November 18 to 20, 2026. The three-day conference at Taj Vivanta Hotel will bring together senior diplomatic representatives, government officials, industry leaders, policy experts, and investors from India and the six GCC states.
The conference will be inaugurated by Union Minister of State for External Affairs Kirti Vardhan Singh on November 18. The Kochi Dialogue is regarded as a crucial platform to expand India-Gulf relations beyond traditional trade and energy cooperation to explore new possibilities. Given the evolving political landscape in West Asia and the new challenges in the global economy, the conference holds special diplomatic significance.
Organized by the Centre for Public Policy Research (CPPR) based in Kochi, in collaboration with the Policy Planning and Research Division of the Ministry of External Affairs, the summit’s theme is “Towards an Innovative and Integrated India-GCC Partnership.” The conference aims to identify new areas of cooperation and enhance the existing partnership between India and the six GCC members—Saudi Arabia, UAE, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, and Oman.
Ambassadors, senior diplomats, and government representatives from GCC countries will participate, along with leading figures from the industrial, commercial, and investment sectors operating in India and the Gulf. Participants include Higher Education Minister Rogi M. John; V. Muralidharan MLA; S. Suhas IAS, Managing Director of Kochi International Airport Limited (CIAL); PS Gangadhar IFS; former Indian Ambassador to the UAE Sanjay Sudhir; Saad Ukhl Al Alati from Kuwait’s Ministry of Finance; A. Amarnath IFS and Manish Swami IFS from India’s Ministry of External Affairs; and Jamal Fakhru of KPMG Bahrain.
Industry leaders such as Nawaz Miran of the Miran Group and Amir Ahmad Manappatt of the Manappatt Group will also take part. By bringing together representatives from diplomacy, governance, and industry, the conference aims to foster more effective coordination between government policies and private sector investment opportunities.
The Kochi Dialogue comes amidst growing importance of India-GCC trade ties. According to available data, the bilateral trade volume between India and the GCC stands at US$178.63 billion. Key sectors facilitating economic exchange include energy imports, petroleum products, food items, gems and jewelry, engineering goods, and services.
Beyond these, cooperation is expanding in infrastructure development, technology, the digital economy, renewable energy, transportation, and logistics. Ongoing discussions on a designated free trade agreement (FTA) between India and the GCC countries further underscore the conference’s relevance. The implementation of the FTA is anticipated to reduce trade barriers, facilitate market access, and widen investment opportunities.
Proposals emerging from the Kochi Dialogue on developing mutually beneficial trade mechanisms, strengthening an investment-friendly environment, and forging new economic partnerships are expected to support future policymaking.
A more structured format for official diplomatic engagement between India and the GCC was established in 2024. This followed the official launch of the India-GCC Joint Ministerial Talks coinciding with Union External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar’s visit to Saudi Arabia. These ministerial discussions have been pivotal in institutionalizing ties covering trade, investment, energy security, regional stability, and people-to-people links.
Such official dialogues involving government officials are referred to as 'Track 1 Diplomacy.' However, semi-official forums—where government representatives, researchers, diplomats, and business leaders interact to exchange ideas and assess policy options prior to formal decision-making—are also vital. The Kochi Dialogue functions as a 'Track 1.5 Diplomacy' platform.
The inaugural Kochi Dialogue held in 2025 emerged as an important diplomatic forum for India-GCC relations. GCC Secretary-General Jasim Mohammed Al-Budaiwi addressed the first summit. His presence—as a participant in the India-GCC joint ministerial talks—highlighted the conference’s international significance. The 2026 edition continues the diplomatic dialogue initiated in 2025. Organizers hope that such regular platforms will play a crucial role in shaping the future of India-Gulf cooperation.
Given Kerala’s historical, social, and economic significance in India-Gulf relations, the Kochi Dialogue is especially pertinent. For decades, Kerala has maintained strong links with Gulf countries through labor migration, expatriate communities, trade, education, tourism, and investments. The large Malayali expatriate population in the Gulf and remittances to Kerala’s economy underscore this relationship’s importance.
Holding a diplomatic summit related to India-GCC cooperation in an international trade and transport hub such as Kochi may enhance attention to Kerala’s industrial and investment potential. It also provides a forum to explore new cooperation possibilities in logistics, port development, aviation, tourism, healthcare, and education.
The evolving political and security environment in West Asia, changes in global trade dynamics, and uncertainties in the energy market have amplified the importance of India-GCC ties. For India, Gulf countries are central to energy security and expanding foreign trade. Conversely, Gulf nations seeking economic diversification and reduced oil dependency find India’s large market, technical expertise, and human resources offer promising opportunities.
Forums like the Kochi Dialogue facilitate generating ideas for long-term partnerships in areas of mutual interest and for addressing global challenges jointly. The conference’s defining feature is its role as an open platform for exchanging expert views and evaluating policy alternatives beyond formal diplomatic channels.
From November 18 to 20, international delegates will converge in Kochi aiming to guide India-GCC relations towards a more innovative, integrated, and mutually beneficial partnership. The second Kochi Dialogue is expected to generate fresh ideas across trade, investment, diplomatic cooperation, and regional development fields.
By serving as a venue for discussions shaping the future of India-Gulf relations, the Kochi Dialogue also contributes to enhancing Kochi’s prominence on the international diplomatic map.
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Original Malayalam report: Malayalam Daily News
