H.E. Zeenat Kureshi Becomes First Indian Woman Appointed as GCC India Trade Commissioner

By: WE staff | Wednesday, 13 August 2025

• H.E. Zeenat Kureshi is appointed as the first Indian woman to serve as GCC–India Trade Commissioner under an international chamber of commerce
• Conveys a significant milestone in India–GCC relations
• Seeks to enhance economic, cultural, and luxury diplomacy between the GCC countries and India

H.E. Zeenat Kureshi is the first Indian woman to be appointed GCC–India Trade Commissioner of an international chamber of commerce—a first for India–GCC relations. Her appointment is a historic step towards greater economic, cultural, and luxury diplomacy between India and the nations of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC).

Indisputably a trailblazer, Zeenat is setting off the newly created position in India's luxury diplomacy. She aims to tie the Gulf's fast-growing markets with India's vibrant economy, providing a strategic point of entry for business magnets, investors, and luxury brands from both sides to come together.

While Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and United Arab Emirates have long been India's trading and investment partners, the high-end product and luxury services market is a virgin terrain. With her initiative, Zeenat seeks to revolutionize this sector with high-value alliances, exclusive delegation arrangement, and cross-border deals combining economic prospects with cultural exchange.

Her appointment also signifies the increasing power of women in trade diplomacy across the international sphere. As one of the earliest Indian women to occupy such a position under an international chamber, she is an inspiration to budding women leaders in trade, diplomacy, and luxury business. Zeenat again emphasizes that collaborations need to cross numeric—boding cultural exchange, innovation, and respect for heritage with business growth.

During her term of office, she plans to encourage programs to bring international luxury brands to India as well as create export opportunities for Indian luxury sectors such as jewelry, fashion, hospitality, and art. Her activities will also include real estate, lifestyle, and tourism facilitated by networking events with high-profile support and bilateral programs.

As the only Indian woman currently representing a GCC–India diplomatic trade body, Zeenat’s appointment is being celebrated as a historic and transformative milestone—one that is poised to redefine luxury commerce and cross-cultural economic cooperation between India and the Gulf.