Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC):

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Qatar, blockaded by three GCC countries, Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Bahrain, and their non-GCC allies, has said it will not discuss a
compromise unless the blockade is lifted.

 Egypt, not part of the GCC, also joined the Saudi-led blockade

Saudi Arabia justified the move by claiming that Qatar was supporting extremist groups such as al-Qaeda and Iranian-sponsored militias in
the region.

Saudi Arabia is upset that Oman and Kuwait did not join the embargo. Kuwait is in fact trying to mediate.

Oman continues to keep ties open with Qatar and Iran.

Qatar stepped up assistance for Hamas in Gaza strip.  It accelerated a plan to allow Turkey to set up military camp in the country.
Qatar also resisted calls to cut ties with Iran.
Qatar also strengthened its alliance with Turkey, which stepped in as provider of security for Doha.

Once upon a time, it talked about a common Gulf currency and robust connectivity projects.  
If the GCC disintegrates  Saudi Arabia will be the big loser, because it will be a reflection on its regional leadership.

The decision of Qatar to quit OPEC and the absence of Emir at the GCC points to increasingly confident Qatar.  Intra-Gulf
quarrels dampened hopes for the integration of the region.

INTRO

Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), political and economic alliance of six Middle Eastern countries—
Saudi Arabia
, Kuwait,
the United Arab Emirates,
Qatar,
Bahrain,
and Oman.

Purpose
to achieve unity among its members based on their common objectives and their similar political and cultural identities, which
are rooted in Arab and Islamic cultures.

India’s priorities in the Gulf: Energy security and Trade & Investment:
 Securing long term energy supply (India is currently the fourth largest energy consuming country in the world)

 The growing energy necessity has undoubtedly dictated India’s initiative of building up a ‘strategic energy partnership’ with the
region to secure long-term energy supply for the country.
 

 Realising the trade potential of the Gulf countries, India has entered into a negotiation with the GCC to finalise a Free Trade
Agreement.
 The Gulf countries have huge potential for investing in different sectors in India as FDI for mutual benefit.
Persian Gulf Regional Dialogue Forum

In a diplomatic initiative to address the lingering conflicts and mistrust in the Gulf region, Iran has proposed a new platform
for regional peace building.