By K.V. Prasad
New Delhi, February 15. Seeking to provide further impetus to existing areas of bilateral engagement in economic cooperation, investment and exploring its expansion to newer spheres, figured prominently during the visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Doha, Qatar on the final leg of his two-nation tour.
PM Modi, who reached Doha at the conclusion of his visit to UAE, met the Amir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani at the Amiri Palace on Thursday. A wide range of issues were discussed at the meeting including economic cooperation, investments, energy partnership, space collaboration, urban infrastructure, cultural bonds and people-to-people ties besides exchange of views on regional and global issues.
On his social media X handle PM posted “Had a wonderful meeting with HH Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad. We reviewed the full range of India-Qatar relations and discussed ways to deepen cooperation across various sectors. Our nations also look forward to collaborating in futuristic sectors which will benefit our planet”.
Had a wonderful meeting with HH Sheikh @TamimBinHamad. We reviewed the full range of India-Qatar relations and discussed ways to deepen cooperation across various sectors. Our nations also look forward to collaborating in futuristic sectors which will benefit our planet. pic.twitter.com/Um0MfvZJQo
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) February 15, 2024
Besides its engagement in areas of energy, investment cooperation and energy security, India and Qatar are exploring expansion across newer areas of fintech, technology innovation, space, education, energy. Briefing the media on the outcomes, Foreign Secretary Vinay Kwatra said the idea was to build upon innovation and technology ecosystem, skills and future technology like electric vehicles.
The purpose was to expand cooperation across these fields including investment in energy to strengthen the energy security and both countries could strengthen green, renewable energy and supply chains in the field.
Currently, India and Qatar bilateral trade stands at U.S. $ 20 billion. Foreign Secretary Kwatra said the visit focussed on consolidating the wide range of partnership across various fields of economic cooperation and build upon the gains following PM Modi’s 2016 visit as also the high-level of exchanges of political leaders. The effort was to take the relations to a strategic level and not view it as transactional.
PM Modi thanked the Amir for the gracious act of release eight Indian navy personnel who were sentenced to imprisonment as also taking care of the over 8,00,000 Indian community in the country. These personnel were released earlier this week and returned home a day ahead of PM’s departure for the February 13-15 tour to UAE and Qatar.
PM Modi also thanked Amir for taking care of the over 8,00,000 Indian community in the country. The Amir reciprocated PM Modi’s sentiments and expressed appreciation for India’s role as a valued partner in the Gulf and appreciated the contributions of the Indian community in the development of Qatar and taking part in various international events hosted by the country. Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani hosted a banquet lunch at the Palace in honour of the Prime Minister, who invited the Amir to pay an early visit to India.
PM Modi met Father Amir, His Highness Hamad Bin Khalifa Al Thani and congratulated on his visionary leadership that paved the way for Qatar’s development over the past decades. The two leaders held discussions on India-Qatar relations. The Prime Minister conveyed his appreciation for the insightful observations of Father Amir on regional and global developments.
On his part, Father Amir affirmed that India and Qatar share an unwavering bond, epitomized by mutual trust and cooperation. He also appreciated the role of the Indian community in Qatar’s development and in nourishing the bilateral partnership.
Earlier PM Modi met the Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Qatar, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani. The two leaders exchanged views on expanding bilateral cooperation in sectors such as trade, investment, energy, finance, and technology. They also discussed recent regional developments in West Asia and emphasized the importance of upholding peace and stability in the region and beyond.
The visit represents a strategic move to deepen the country’s engagement with key partners in the Gulf region and take it beyond economic cooperation.
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