India-Qatar trade talks: FTA terms of reference likely to be agreed in Doha

India and Qatar are expected to finalise the terms of reference for a proposed free trade agreement (FTA) during the upcoming meeting of the Qatar-India Joint Commission on Trade and Commerce in Doha this week, the commerce ministry said on Sunday.

Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal will visit Qatar from October 6–7 to co-chair the meeting with Sheikh Faisal bin Thani bin Faisal Al Thani, Qatar’s Minister of Commerce and Industry. This will be Goyal’s first visit to the Gulf nation.

The discussions are expected to focus on strengthening bilateral trade and investment ties, reviewing existing trade performance, addressing non-tariff barriers, and exploring new areas of cooperation.

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

ToR normally lays down modalities for negotiations of a trade pact.

Qatar is one of India’s key trading partners in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) region. Bilateral trade between India and Qatar stood at over USD 14 billion in 2024–25.

India already has a trade pact with the UAE. A similar deal is likely to be signed with Oman.

A business delegation comprising senior industry representatives will accompany Goyal for the first meeting of the India–Qatar Joint Business Council. The delegation will hold interactions with Qatari entities, including the Qatar Chamber, Qatar Financial Centre, Invest Qatar and the Qatar Free Zones Authority.

During his visit, Goyal will also meet senior Qatari dignitaries, business leaders from the Qatar Chamber and Qatari Businessmen Association, and members of the Indian community, including representatives from the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India’s Doha Chapter and the Indian Business and Professionals Council.

The first meeting of the India–Qatar Joint Working Group on Trade and Commerce was held in July 2024.

During the Amir of Qatar’s visit to India in February 2025, both sides had agreed to upgrade the group to a Joint Commission, led by their respective commerce ministers, to deepen bilateral cooperation.