India Likely to Finalize Qatar Trade Deal in October

CEO Insights Team | Tuesday, 09 September, 2025

India will be making final preparations on the terms of reference to a proposed free trade agreement with Qatar in early October, reports say, as it works to forge deeper partnerships in the global arena, and counter the effects of US tariffs. Piyush Goyal, the minister, might visit Doha on October 6 to finalize the framework to the negotiations.

In a recent visit by the Emir of Qatar to India in February, both states decided to take their relationship to another level and increase bilateral trade by two fold to $28 billion in five years.

Qatar has also declared to invest 10 billion in India in infrastructure, technology, manufacturing, food security, logistics, hospitality and others.

India and Qatar already have close energy cooperation and last year renewed a long-term deal for the supply of liquefied natural gas to India for 20 years starting in 2028.

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After the U.S. President Donald Trump imposed additional 25 percent tariffs on Indian goods for buying Russian oil last month, doubling total duties to 50 percent, New Delhi is accelerating efforts to deepen trade ties with other partners.

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It is also seeking a free trade pact with the European Union, India's biggest trading partner in goods, later this year.

Exporter groups estimate the US tariffs could affect nearly 55 percent of India's $87 billion in merchandise exports to the United States, while benefiting competitors such as Vietnam, Bangladesh and China.

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India also aims to sign bilateral trade pacts with Oman, Chile and Peru, part of its push to boost exports and diversify markets, while protecting farmers and small businesses, the source added.