Shankar Kumar

India’s engagement with Gulf countries has grown substantially, particularly in the past decade, adding new energy and dimension to this relationship. However, much before the nation-states became closer and inked business deals,  millions of Indians living in the region had become bridges between the people of India and the Gulf region and laid a solid foundation for this bond.

In particular, Indian business leaders in the Gulf region generated so much goodwill for India in the region that it became easy for cooperation deals, trade expansion, and people-to-people connectivity, when it was right for the governments to engage.

Today, M A Yusuff Ali of LuLu Group, Micky Jagtiani of Landmark Group, PNC Menon of Sobha Group, Dr Azad Moopen of DM Group, Rizwan Sajan of Danube Group and Syed Salahuddin of Star Group are household names in Gulf countries. 

Dr Azad Mopen

With their business spread in the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Qatar, Bahrain, and Kuwait, they are not only contributing to the economies of their host countries but also playing a crucial role in enhancing India’s standing in the world.

Growing presence of Indian entrepreneurs

Moreover, as India moves ahead towards becoming the third major economy of the world, the Indian Diaspora are gaining importance for both India and their countries. As such, Indian entrepreneurs and business leaders in the Gulf have left a deep mark on the region’s trade and commerce and are increasingly seen as crucial components of the country’s soft power diplomacy.

Across the Gulf countries, the number of Indian-owned businesses has grown manifold over the years. For instance, as per a new analysis by the Dubai Chamber of Commerce, a total of 9,038 new business leaders from India joined the chamber in the first half of 2025.

Similarly, more than 3,000 Indian entrepreneurs are operating in Saudi Arabia. Till August 2023, as per data from the Riyadh-based Indian embassy, Indian investments in Saudi Arabia were $3 billion. These investments were in construction projects, telecommunications, IT, financial services, software development, pharmaceuticals, consultancy, and management.Oman, which hosts over 6 lakh Indians on its soil, is the centre of activities for more than 6000 Indian enterprises and establishments with an estimated investment of over $7.5 billion.

Dr P Mohamed Ali, founder of Galfar Engineering & Contracting, Abdul Vahid AK of the KV Group

Their presence in Oman is contributing to robust and buoyant economic and commercial relations between New Delhi and Muscat. In 2024-25, the two-way trade between the two countries stood at $10.613 billion.

In Oman, the Khimji Ramdas Group has a well-established reputation as one of the most prolific and influential business houses owned by the Indian community. Kanaksi Khimji, the head of Khimji Ramdas Group, was granted the title of Sheikh by the Sultan of Oman. It is said that Kanaksi Khimji was the Hindu Sheikh who used to lend money to the Sultan of Oman.

PNC Menon, the real estate magnate, Dr P Mohamed Ali, founder of Galfar Engineering & Contracting, Abdul Vahid AK of the KV Group, Rajeev Sharma of Mustafa Sultan Enterprises and Rajeev Singh of Al Maha Ceramics have played a major role in shaping Oman’s business landscape.

Indian businessmen’s role in the Gulf nations’ growth

In the same way, the Indian business community in Qatar, comprising nearly 20,000 entrepreneurs, has emerged as a key force behind the Gulf country’s strong economic landscape. Their contributions span construction, real estate, infrastructure, retail, manufacturing, hospitality, and services, aligning closely with Qatar National Vision 2030.

Many Indian entrepreneurs arrived in Qatar during the early phase of development, when infrastructure was central to national growth. Today, they have become strategic partners in large-scale projects in Qatar.

But it is Indian entrepreneurs in Bahrain who have shown that they will leave no stone unturned in strengthening economic relations between New Delhi and Manama. Deeply integrated into the kingdom’s economic ecosystem, they have a significant presence in sectors like IT, education, healthcare, and manufacturing. As per data from the Bahrain government, more than 7500 Indian owned or joint venture companies were registered in the country as of October 2020.

Business leaders such as Ravi Pillai of the RP Group received Bahrain’s prestigious national honour, the Medal of Efficiency, from Bahrain King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa in December 2024. “This esteemed award reflects His Majesty's deep appreciation for Dr Pillai's outstanding contributions to the Kingdom, particularly in the fields of refinery operations, local community development, and the strengthening of Bahrain's global position,” the Royal Order said. With a turnover of $12 billion, the RP Group is today recognised not only in Bahrain but across GCC countries for its entrepreneurial leadership.

Ravi Pillai

In Kuwait, the Indian Business Community has carved a strong niche in the local market, especially in retail and distributorship. Entrepreneurs such as K G Abraham of the KCC Engineering and Contracting Company, Kuldeep Singh Lamba, a leading name in automotive products, Ashok Kalra, Jatinder Suri, and Mukesh Kumar—the trio behind the popular Mughal Mahal restaurant chain; Dhiraj Oberoi of KITCO Group; Tony Jashnmal of Jashanmal National Company have made a mark in the Kuwaiti market. Their success is rooted in the consistent quality services and products they offer.

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The footprints of Indians in trade and economy have become the backbone of India-Gulf relations. Acting as bridges between markets, cultures, and societies, they have strengthened people-to-people relationships while at the same time aligning seamlessly with the development visions of their host countries.

The author is an Independent journalist who writes of international affairs