Compare the India–UAE CEPA (2022) and India–Oman CEPA (2025) in scope and significance.

The India–Oman CEPA (in force 1 June 2026) is India's second comprehensive pact with a GCC state after the India–UAE CEPA (in force 1 May 2022) [1][3]. Both cover goods, services and investment, yet differ in depth and strategic weight.

Scope — market access

• UAE: eliminated duties on 97.4% of tariff lines (99% of India's exports); India liberalised 80%+ of lines (90% of export value) [1].
• Oman: zero duty on 98.08% of tariff lines, covering 99.38% of India's export value from Day One; India liberalised 77.79% of its 12,556 lines (94.81% of imports) [2].
• Both aid labour-intensive MSMEs — gems, textiles, leather, marine, pharma — while shielding sensitive Indian lines via Rules of Origin [2].

Scope — services & mobility

• UAE opened broad services access; Oman bound 127 sub-sectors, the most comprehensive offer by any GCC country, with GATS Mode-4 entry for accountants, architects and medical professionals [2].

Significance

• UAE CEPA was the template, reviving India's FTA momentum post-2022 (EFTA, Australia).
• Oman deepens India's Gulf footprint, complementing IMEEC and securing energy logistics near the Strait of Hormuz (Duqm) [1].
• Together they anchor the wider India–GCC FTA push and counter Chinese inroads.

Both CEPAs are complementary pillars of India's Link West strategy: UAE opened the door, Oman widened it. Aligned with Viksit Bharat @2047, they convert Gulf goodwill into rules-based, diversified trade access.