New Delhi: Qatarโs Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani concluded a two-day official visit to India on February 17-18.
Breaking tradition, Prime Minister Narendra Modi personally welcomed him at the airportโan honor reserved for select leaders, underscoring strong India-Qatar relations. The visit commenced with a ceremonial reception at Rashtrapati Bhavan, where President Droupadi Murmu and PM Modi formally greeted him.
The most significant outcome was the elevation of bilateral relations to a Strategic Partnership, deepening cooperation in trade, investment, energy, and security. A long-term roadmap for future engagements will be developed. India already shares such ties with UAE, Saudi Arabia, Oman, and Kuwait within the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC).
Economic Ties: Trade, Investment & Financial Integration
Trade and investment dominated discussions, with both nations considering a Free Trade Agreement. They aim to double bilateral trade to $28 billion by 2030, up from the current $14 billion. Qatar committed $10 billion in investments in India.
Key financial agreements include:
- Establishing Joint Ministerial Commissions led by foreign and commerce ministers.
- The Qatar Investment Authority (QIA) opening an office in India.
- Qatar National Bank setting up operations in GIFT City.
- Implementation of Indiaโs Unified Payments Interface (UPI) in Qatar, starting with its integration into Qatar National Bankโs points of sale.
- Exploring bilateral trade settlements in local currencies.
- Signing of a revised Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement.
- Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) between financial institutions from both nations, including Invest India, Invest Qatar, and business groups like CII and the Qatari Businessmen Association.
During the Emirโs visit, the India-Qatar Business Forum convened in New Delhi, attended by commerce ministers from both countries. India is currently Qatarโs third-largest trading partner.
Energy Cooperation: Strengthening a Vital Pillar
Both sides pledged to expand collaboration in energy through trade and investments in infrastructure. They agreed to hold regular meetings of the Joint Task Force on Energy. Qatar remains Indiaโs largest supplier of LNG (46%) and LPG (26%).
Recent energy agreements include:
- February 2024: A long-term $78 billion deal between QatarEnergy and Petronet LNG, securing LNG supplies until 2048.
- December 2024: GAIL and QatarEnergyโs pact to purchase 60 LNG cargoes over five years.
- A deal between Haldia Petrochemicals Ltd and QatarEnergy for 2 million tons of naphtha supply.
People-to-People & Cultural Bonds
Prime Minister Modi thanked the Emir for Qatarโs support of the 830,000-strong Indian community, the largest expatriate group in the country, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Emir commended Indians for their contributions to Qatarโs development.
Key initiatives include:
- India extending e-Visa facilities to Qatari nationals.
- A โYear of Culture, Friendship & Sportsโ initiative to strengthen ties.
- A Joint Working Group on Labor & Employment to address workforce issues, crucial given the large presence of Indian professionals and labourer.
- 19 Indian schools and one Indian university operating in Qatar.
Geopolitics & Global Affairs
Both leaders exchanged views on West Asiaโs security situation, including the Israel-Hamas conflict. However, no reference was made to the Russia-Ukraine war in the joint statement. They jointly emphasized the need for United Nations reforms, including changes to the Security Council.
Cultural Diplomacy & State Banquet
The visit concluded with a state banquet hosted by President Murmu at Rashtrapati Bhavan. Highlighting shared traditions, she remarked, โOur deep-rooted bonds are reflected in our peopleโs love for art, music, and cuisineโbe it Biryani or Kadak Chai.โ She also stressed cooperation in innovation, artificial intelligence, and emerging technologies.
A Diplomatic & Strategic Milestone
Qatar, known for its outsized diplomatic influenceโserving as a key mediator in Afghan negotiations and maintaining dialogue with both the West and Hamasโhas now elevated ties with India to a strategic level. With Qatar boasting one of the worldโs largest sovereign wealth funds, this visit marks a major step in solidifying economic, energy, and diplomatic cooperation between the two nations.
