
The city of Kochi in Kerala, India, will host today, the “Kochi Dialogue 2025,” the first diplomatic event of its kind between India and the Gulf Cooperation Council. The event will take place over two days on, January 16 and 17.
The “Kochi Dialogue 2025” is organized by the Centre for Public Policy Research in collaboration with the Indian Ministry of External Affairs. The event is themed “India’s Westward Policy: People, Prosperity, and Progress.”
The dialogue aims to strengthen sustainable partnerships between India and the GCC countries by addressing regional and international challenges while deepening cooperation across multiple sectors.
Prominent Gulf figures will participate in the event, including H. E. Jasem Mohamed Al-Budaiwi, Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council, along with a group of distinguished political and economic figures from both India and the GCC countries.
The Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council, H.E. Jasem Mohamed Al-Budaiwi, will deliver a special address at the Kochi Dialogue 2025, aimed at strengthening India-GCC relations.
The Diplomacy Dialogue 1.5, hosted by CPPR in collaboration with the Ministry of External Affairs, will focus on “India’s Look West Policy: People, Prosperity and Progress” to enhance partnerships, foster cooperation, and strengthen India-GCC relations.
The Kochi Dialogue 2025 will revolve around the theme “India’s West-oriented Policy in Action: People, Prosperity and Progress.” The event will bring together key diplomats and government officials from India and the GCC, as well as prominent policymakers, business leaders, policy experts, and stakeholders, to forge action-oriented partnerships.
The Kochi Dialogue 2025 will address five pivotal themes to strengthen India-GCC relations:
1. Trade, Economy and Investments:
Explore ways to enhance bilateral trade, ease of doing business, and promote investments across sectors.
2. Maritime Strategic Partnerships:
Strengthening cooperation in maritime security and addressing strategic priorities in the Indian Ocean region.
3. Education, Healthcare and Technology:
Building collaboration in education, technology, and healthcare in areas such as artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and smart city development.
4. Communication with Expatriates:
Recognizing the contributions of the Indian diaspora to economic growth and cultural diplomacy while addressing the challenges faced by migrants.
5. Cooperation and Innovation in the field of Energy:
Expanding energy cooperation in traditional and renewable sectors, with a focus on green hydrogen and sustainable solutions.
Confirmed speakers at the event are:
- Vice Admiral G Ashok Kumar (National Maritime Security Coordinator)
- Amb. T.P. Srinivasan (Former Ambassador and Permanent Representative of India to the United Nations, Vienna)
- Ambassador Venu Rajamony (Former Ambassador of India to the Netherlands)
- Ambassador. T.P. Sitaram (Former Ambassador of India to the UAE)
- Isha Srivastava IFS (Joint Secretary (IC & VIG, Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas)
- Raghuram SIFS (Joint Secretary, Ministry of External Affairs, India)
- Dr. Dhanuraj (Founder and President, Centre for Public Policy Research)
- Dr. Suresh Kumar MIFS (Joint Secretary West Asia & North Africa Division, Ministry of External Affairs, India)
- Admiral Sunil Lanba (Former Chief of Naval Staff, Indian Navy)
- Vice Admiral M.P. Muraleedharan (Former Director General, Indian Coast Guard)
- Dr. Ebtisam Al Ketbi (Founder and President of the Emirates Policy Center)
- Ahlam Yousef Janahi (President of the Bahraini Businesswomen’s Society)
- Zahraa Tahrir (Co-Founder & MD, Finmark Communications, Bahrain)
- H.E. Eng. Ahmed Mohammed Al Kaabi (Assistant Undersecretary for Electricity, Water and Future Energy, Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure, United Arab Emirates).
- Francis Joseph (CEO, GEMS Education, India Region)
- Taha Mohammed Abdul Karim (President of IBPC Qatar, and Secretary of Harvard Business School GCC Club)
- Atul Puri (Co-Founder & Managing Partner, South West India, Co-Chairman, National Council for International Taxation, Assocham, India).
- James Matthew (CEO & Managing Partner, UHY James, Dubai, UAE).
- Dr. Hafeezur Rahman (Chairman, Sunrise Hospitals, Kochi, India).
- Dr. Nigel Kuriakose Matthew (Chairman, IMA Institute of Foreign Affairs, Oman).
- Dr. Ramanathan D.A.M. (Founder, Managing Director & Chief Medical Officer, Sitaram Ayurveda, India & General Secretary, AMMOI).
- Dr. Ranjit Mehta (CEO & Secretary General, PHD Chamber of Commerce & Industry, India).
- Dr. Ashraf Mohamed Keshk (Director of the Strategic and International Studies Program, Bahrain).
- Nandi Vardhan Mehta (CFO & Investment Committee Member, KAAF Investments LLC, Dubai, UAE).
- Dr. Siddiq Ahmed (Chairman & Managing Director, Eram Holdings & Co-Chairman, FICCI Middle East Council).
- Vice Admiral V. Srinivas (Commanding Officer, Southern Naval Command, Kochi).
- Ajay Thampi (Chairman, Navio Shipping Pvt Ltd, Mumbai).
- Aditya Dhanuka (President, ICAI Kuwait Chapter)
- Ajith Kulasiri (CEO, NoRKA Roots, Kerala).
- Shahab Kotkud (Winner of Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Award, 2014).
- Nissi Solomon (Honorary Member, Research and Program Committee, Center for Public Policy Research)
The Kochi Dialogue 2025, with a focus on addressing pressing global and regional issues, promises to strengthen partnerships and cooperation, aligning with India’s strategic objectives in the GCC region.
Source: Q8 press