Discussions between PM Modi and the Amir will cover crucial aspects of India-Qatar relations, particularly in trade, investment, energy, and technology.
In a rare diplomatic gesture, Prime Minister Narendra Modi personally received the Amir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al Thani, at the airport on Monday, marking the start of the Qatari leader’s two-day visit to India.
PM Modi expressed his enthusiasm for the visit, posting on microblogging platform X, “Went to the airport to welcome my brother, Amir of Qatar H.H. Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al Thani. Wishing him a fruitful stay in India and looking forward to our meeting tomorrow.”
This is the Amir’s second state visit to India, the first being in March 2015. The visit underscores the deep-rooted ties between India and Qatar, spanning trade, energy, investment, and cultural exchanges.
External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar is set to meet the Amir later in the evening, while a ceremonial welcome at Rashtrapati Bhavan and high-level talks at Hyderabad House with PM Modi are scheduled for Tuesday.
Key Agenda: Trade, Energy, and Regional Stability
Discussions between PM Modi and the Amir will cover crucial aspects of India-Qatar relations, particularly in trade, investment, energy, and technology. The two leaders are also expected to sign multiple memoranda of understanding (MoUs) on Tuesday.
The visit takes place amid ongoing negotiations to resolve the Gaza conflict, where Qatar has played a crucial mediatory role. The Gulf nation has been instrumental in facilitating prisoner exchanges between Israel and Hamas, given that Doha hosts Hamas representatives and wields significant influence in regional diplomacy.
Another critical issue on the agenda is the return of the last of the eight former Indian Navy personnel arrested in Qatar on espionage charges in August 2022. Initially sentenced to death, their punishment was commuted following Indian diplomatic intervention. Seven have since returned to India, but one remains in Qatar.
Expanding Trade and Energy Ties
India and Qatar share strong economic ties, with bilateral trade reaching $18.77 billion in 2022-23. India’s exports totaled $1.96 billion, while imports, largely consisting of Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG), petroleum products, and chemicals, stood at $16.8 billion.
Qatar is India’s largest supplier of LNG, accounting for 48% of total imports (10.74 million metric tons worth $8.32 billion in FY 2022-23). It also supplies 29% of India’s LPG imports, making it a critical energy partner. India, in turn, exports cereals, iron and steel, textiles, machinery, and processed food to Qatar.
Beyond trade, defense cooperation remains a key pillar of bilateral engagement. India provides training slots for Qatari military personnel and regularly participates in Qatar’s biennial Doha International Maritime Defence Exhibition and Conference (DIMDEX). Indian Naval and Coast Guard ships also visit Qatar as part of ongoing strategic cooperation.
Went to the airport to welcome my brother, Amir of Qatar H.H. Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al Thani. Wishing him a fruitful stay in India and looking forward to our meeting tomorrow.@TamimBinHamad pic.twitter.com/seReF2N26V
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) February 17, 2025
Strengthening Diplomatic Engagement
India and Qatar have maintained high-level diplomatic exchanges over the years. Before the Amir’s last visit in 2015, his predecessor, Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al-Thani, visited India in 1999, 2005, and 2012. PM Modi reciprocated with a state visit to Doha in June 2016, further deepening ties.
With a large Indian expatriate community in Qatar playing a vital role in its economy, the relationship continues to strengthen across multiple domains. The Amir’s visit is expected to further enhance strategic cooperation and reinforce India’s growing engagement with the Gulf region.
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