Punjab govt Deepens Global Engagement Through GCC and CIS Ambassadors’ Roundtables

Ahead of the 6th Progressive Punjab Investors’ Summit (PPIS) 2026, the government of Punjab organised two constructive diplomatic roundtables in New Delhi with Ambassadors from Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) nations and the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) region as part of its international outreach under the guidance of Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann.The GCC Roundtable witnessed participation from the Ambassadors of Kuwait, Oman, Qatar and Bahrain, who appreciated Punjab’s clear investment outlook. They noted that GCC’s world-class ports and global connectivity could serve as a major export gateway for Punjab and highlighted strong complementarities between Punjab’s manufacturing strength and the GCC’s economic diversification ambitions.Envoys from both GCC and CIS regions commended Chief Minister S. Bhagwant Mann for pioneering a structured, region-focused global outreach model for Punjab. They expressed readiness to facilitate business delegations, deepen sectoral partnerships and enhance regular trade and cultural exchanges, noting that the Chief Minister’s strategic direction has elevated Punjab’s international economic engagement.The engagements were chaired by Minister for Industries & Commerce, Investment Promotion, Power & NRI Affairs, Mr. Sanjeev Arora, and attended by Ambassadors, senior diplomatic representatives, officials from the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), and senior officers of the Punjab Government. Both meetings began with welcome remarks by Mr. K.K. Yadav, IAS, followed by an “Advantage Punjab” presentation highlighting the state’s strong industrial ecosystem, investment-ready infrastructure, policy reforms and opportunities across agriculture, agri-tech, food processing, IT, healthcare and manufacturing.The CIS Ro’ndtab’e included Ambassadors from Kazakhstan, Russia, Armenia and Belarus. Kazakhstan emphasised collaboration in education, tourism, culture and trade. Russia identified scope for agricultural exports, petrochemicals, railways, fintech, AI and aerospace. Armenia proposed cooperation in agri-tech, dairy, IT services and renewable energy while stressing people-to-people ties. Belarus invited Punjab to the Annual Agricultural Exhibition 2026, citing opportunities in agricultural education and agri-machinery.An MEA official appreciated Punjab’s targeted engagement strategy and noted that such region-specific outreach aligns with India’s broader trade and economic diplomacy.