India-Qatar FTA talks likely to finalise terms of reference in early October

India is likely to finalise terms of reference for a free trade agreement (FTA) with Qatar in the first week of October, said a government source on Monday (September 8, 2025). The source added that Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal may visit the Gulf country to finalise the same on October 6.

The possibility of a comprehensive economic partnership agreement (CEPA) with Doha was first announced this February during the Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani’s visit to India. The two sides sought to double their bilateral trade by 2030.

Doha accounts for 1.22% of India’s total trade. In FY 2024-25, India exported goods worth about $1.68 billion whilst it imports totalled $12.47 billion. Qatar’s key exports to India include liquified natural gas (LNG), liquified petroleum gas (LPG), chemicals and petrochemicals and aluminium articles, among other things.

Expanding the number of FTA partners has emerged as an imperative for New Delhi in response to U.S. President Donald Trump-induced tariff regime. Washington instituted a 50% tariff on Indian products inclusive of a 25% penalty for buying Russian oil. For perspective, trade with the North American country accounted for 11.4% of India’s overall trade in FY 2024-25.  

EU talks progressing well

Enumerating progress about the trade agreement with the European Union, the source stated that talks were progressing well with a delegation of the European Union already in New Delhi. Mr. Goyal is expected to meet the trade commissioner for EU Maroš Šefčovič this Friday (September 12, 2025) as part of the 13th round of talks.