Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Qatar’s Amir Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al Thani held bilateral talks in New Delhi on Tuesday, marking a significant milestone in diplomatic and economic relations between the two nations. The high-profile meeting culminated in the signing of a strategic partnership agreement, reflecting a shared commitment to deepen cooperation across various sectors.
The discussions, held at Hyderabad House, focused on enhancing trade, investment, and energy collaboration. Prime Minister Modi lauded the Amir for leading a distinguished delegation of Qatari business leaders, emphasizing the potential for increased economic engagement. The Joint Business Forum, co-chaired by the Commerce and Industry Ministers of both countries, facilitated dynamic exchanges between top industrialists and business entities from India and Qatar.
Addressing a special briefing, Secretary (CPV & OIA) in the Ministry of External Affairs, Arun Kumar Chatterjee, said the two sides have to set a target to double the bilateral trade in the next five years.
The strategic partnership aims to double bilateral trade, which currently stands at approximately USD 14 billion annually, within the next five years. Qatar’s role as a vital investment partner was underscored, with its sovereign wealth fund, Qatar Investment Authority (QIA), already having invested around USD 1.5 billion in India. New avenues for QIA’s investment were also identified during the talks, promising substantial economic benefits for both sides.
Amir Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al Thani, who last visited India in 2015, was welcomed with a ceremonial reception at Rashtrapati Bhavan by President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Modi. President Murmu is set to host a state banquet in honor of the Amir and his delegation later in the evening.
This visit follows Prime Minister Modi’s trip to Qatar in February 2024, where he extended an invitation to the Amir, paving the way for this landmark visit.
