India is ready to begin negotiations for a free trade agreement (FTA) with the six-nation Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) after recently signing major trade deals with the United States and the European Union, according to The Times of India.

The Gulf Cooperation Council, which includes Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Kuwait, Oman and Bahrain, will on Thursday sign the terms of reference. These terms will explain the scope and modalities of the proposed trade treaty between India and the GCC.

The signing ceremony of the terms of reference will be attended by Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal, and this event will mark the resumption of trade negotiations between India and the Gulf bloc.

Earlier, India had engaged in two rounds of talks in 2006 and 2008 with the Gulf Cooperation Council, but a third round never took place because the GCC had deferred negotiations, the article notes.

India already has a comprehensive trade agreement with the United Arab Emirates and has finalised one with Oman as part of its expanding economic links with the Gulf region.

According to the report, the terms of reference will be signed on Thursday, providing a framework for the negotiations and outlining what the proposed FTA will cover.

The move comes as part of India’s broader efforts to enhance international trade ties with major economic partners following new trade deals with the US and the EU.