New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi Tuesday held wide-ranging talks with Amir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al-Thani as the two leaders decided to elevate India-Qatar relations to a “strategic partnership” with focus on trade, investments, technology and energy.
They also exchanged views on “regional and global issues” of mutual interest, the Ministry of External Affairs said.
The Amir of Qatar’s two-day visit comes at the invitation of Modi. This is his second state visit to India. He earlier visited India in March 2015. His visit will provide “further momentum to our growing multifaceted partnership”, the MEA had said ahead of the visit that began on Monday.
Addressing a media briefing, Secretary (CPV & OIA) in the Ministry of External Affairs, Arun Kumar Chatterjee, said that the two sides have to set a target to double the bilateral trade in the next five years.
“Amir of the State of Qatar Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al Thani last visited India in March 2015. When PM Modi paid his second visit in February 2024, he had invited His Highness Amir to pay a state visit to India…..this morning, His Highness Amir was received by President of India Droupadi Murmu and PM Modi at Rashtrapati Bhavan, where he was accorded a ceremonial welcome,” Chatterjee said.
“President will meet His Highness Amir in the evening today and also host a banquet reception in honour of Amir and accompanies delegation…PM Modi held bilateral talks with His Highness Amir at Hyderabad House. Both leaders recalled the historic trade linkages, deep-rooted people-to-people ties and robust bilateral relations between both countries,” he added.
Earlier in the day, the Amir of Qatar was accorded a ceremonial guard of honour at the Rashtrapati Bhavan as President Droupadi Murmu welcomed the visiting leader. Modi was also present on the occasion. Later, Modi and the Amir held talks at the Hyderabad House covering a range of bilateral issues.
Arun Kumar Chatterjee also said that the trade between India and Qatar is around 14 billion US dollars and added that both sides have agreed to double the number in the next 5 years.
“To elevate the relationship to a strategic partnership, India and Qatar have signed an agreement in this regard today. Trade, investment and energy were among the major topics of discussion between the two leaders today. The trade today between India and Qatar is about USD 14 billion annually. Both sides have agreed to set a target to double this in the next 5 years,” he added.
India and Qatar also exchanged an agreement on establishment of strategic partnership between the two countries on Tuesday.
The documents were exchanged between Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Qatar, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani and External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, in the presence of Prime Minister Modi and the Amir of Qatar here.
“India-Qatar, further cementing the deep & traditional relationship. PM @narendramodi & HH Sheikh @TamimbinHamad Al-Thani, Amir of the State of Qatar held wide-ranging talks at Hyderabad House today. Both leaders decided to elevate India-Qatar relations to a Strategic Partnership with focus on trade, energy, investments, innovation, technology, food security, culture & people-to-people ties. They also exchanged views on regional and global issues of mutual interest,” MEA Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said in a post on X.
As the two leaders held talks at the Hyderabad House, the MEA in a post on X said, a “new milestone” was on the cards of this “special India-Qatar partnership”.
A revised agreement for avoidance of double taxation and prevention of fiscal evasion with respect to taxes on income, between India and Qatar, was also exchanged, it was announced during the exchange of agreements ceremony held at the Hyderabad House. Prime Minister of Qatar and Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman exchanged the agreement.
The Amir of Qatar arrived here on Monday evening, his visit coming almost a year after Modi had visited the Gulf nation in February 2024.
Extending a rare gesture of hospitality, Modi received the Amir at the Delhi airport on Monday evening. He welcomed him with a warm handshake and hug, displaying the bonhomie between the two leaders.
During Prime Minister Modi’s visit to Doha last year, technology, investment, energy, trade, all aspects were discussed at length with a view to look at them, assess them from a strategic perspective, the then foreign secretary Vinay Kwatra had told reporters in February 2024.
The MEA on Saturday said the Indian community residing in Qatar forms the largest expatriate group in that country and is “appreciated for its positive contribution in the progress and development of Qatar”.
