About Gulf Cooperation Council:
- It is a regional political and economic alliance established in 1981.
- Member countries: It comprises Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
- Objective: To foster economic, security, cultural, and social cooperation among its members.
- Headquarters: Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
- Organizational Structure of the Gulf Cooperation Council:
- Supreme council
- It is the highest authority of the GCC, composed of the heads of the member states.
- Its presidency rotates alphabetically according to the names of the countries.
- It convenes in a regular session annually.
- Ministerial council
- It is composed of foreign ministers or their representatives from member states.
- It proposes policies and implements decisions of the Supreme Council.
- Secretariat general: Its responsibilities include preparing studies to enhance cooperation, coordination, and integration in joint Gulf projects and initiatives.
India –GCC Free Trade Agreement
- Key exports from India to GCC include engineering goods, rice, textiles, machinery, gems and jewelry.
- Key sectors of imports from GCC primarily comprise crude oil, LNG, petrochemicals, and precious metals such as gold.
