Gujarat Morbi Ceramic Industry Affected By Shortage Of Natural Gas Amid Conflict In GCC Nations.

Morbi, Gujarat; March 2026: The ceramic industry in Gujarat’s Morbi has been affected by a shortage of natural gas amid the ongoing conflict in West Asia, President of Morbi Ceramic Manufacturers Association, Manoj Arvadiya, said. Addressing media reporters yesterday, Manoj Arvadiya said that most of their gas and petroleum products come from the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, which include Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab

Emirates. Expressing concern, he added that if the industry does not receive an adequate supply of natural gas, there is a fear of shutdown.

Morbi Ceramic Manufacturers Association President said, “Talking about the current war between Iran, Israel, and the United States, and the subsequent wars in all the GCC countries. Most of the gas and petroleum products come from the GCC countries. The entire gas supply for the Morbi ceramic industry, which relies on gas, comes from the GCC countries. Currently, all vessels passing through are being stopped at an area controlled by Iran. A complete barricade has been erected there. The area has been completely blocked. Because of this, vessels carrying petroleum products and gas are unable to reach the region. Therefore, there is a gas shortage here. If the gas supply is not adequate, we anticipate that the entire Morbi Ceramic Industry will have to be shut down”, he added.

I a starch response to the US-Israel joint attack on its country, Iran has retaliated by launching ballistic missiles and drones at US assets and allies across the region, including Israel, Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Jordan, further widening the conflict. Meanwhile, on Tuesday, government sources said that India has a total of eight weeks of crude oil and petroleum products inventory, which includes strategic reserves, and only about 40% of India’s crude oil imports transit through the Strait of Hormuz, significantly limiting exposure to regional disruptions. They have asserted that the country remains in a comfortable position on energy security amid the evolving situation in the West Asian region.

Earlier, on 05th February, 2026 – India and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) member countries signed the Terms of Reference for a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) on Thursday in the national capital.

Chief Negotiator for GCC, Raja Al Marzouki, highlighted the importance of the proposed free trade agreement, noting that globalisation is under attack. GCC is a group of 06 Arab countries: Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates. “So, it’s a message. It’s a signal for the whole group, for the whole globe, and it’s important for us at this time to try to be more cooperative, to avoid any risk that our global economy facing as a result of uncertainty”, Raja Al Marzouki had said on the launch.

In his address at the signing ceremony, Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal said discussions for an FTA with the Gulf Cooperation Council have been going on for nearly two decades. “Two trading partners who have been trading amongst each other for over 5000 years. It is most appropriate that we now

enter into a much stronger and robust trading arrangement, which will enable greater free flow of goods, services, bring predictability and stability to policy, help encourage greater degree of investments and take our bilateral relations between the 06 nation GCC group and India to

greater heights”, Piyush Goyal had then asserted.

Piyush Goel had then further reiterated that the agreement with the GCC group of 06 countries will further strengthen India’s relations, both on the geopolitical and trade fronts. The Free Trade Agreement with the GCC will give a message to the world “of our deep ties and historic relations, friendly relations, and as I believe, the GCC and India come closer together, we will become a force multiplier for global good”, the Commerce Minister said.

As per Government Of India released information; the GCC and India bilateral trade already totals nearly USD 179 billion. India has about 10 million of its people living and working in the GCC region, which Goyal termed as a “living bridge between our societies, between our nations”.

Team Maverick.