New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi met on Tuesday Qatari Amir Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al Thani In New Delhi.
The two leaders conversations at the level of delegation at Hyderabad House, focusing on trade, investment and strategic cooperation.
Prime Minister Modi directed the discussions, accompanied by the Minister of External Affairs, S Jaishankar, the Minister of Finance, Nirmala Sitharaman, and senior officials. The Qatar delegation was headed by Amir Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al Thani.
Early in the day, the Amir received a ceremonial guard of honor in Rashtrapati Bhavan, where he was welcome by President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Modi.
Upon the arrival of Qatar Amir to New Delhi on Monday, Prime Minister Modi broke the protocol and went to receive it. Calling Amir Al Thani as his ‘brother’, Prime Minister Modi wrote in X, “went to the airport to welcome my brother, Amir de Qatar HH Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al Thani. Wishing you a fruitful stay in India and I look forward to our meeting tomorrow. “
During his visit, the AMIR interacted with key Indian ministers and officials. In particular, the Minister of External Affairs, Jaishankar, had met Qatar leader after his arrival.
Focus on trade and investment
According to the PTI news agency, Qatar has expressed its willingness to accelerate negotiations for a new ‘Bilateral Investment and Protection Protection Agreement (BIPPA) with India.
Qatar’s Minister of Commerce and Industry, Sheikh Faisal Bin Thani Bin Faisal Al Thani, said India is now the third largest commercial partner in Qatar.
“We have modernized our investment ecosystem … We invite Indian investors and businessmen to explore the true potential of Qatar’s economy,” he said in the India-Qatar business forum organized by the Confederation of the Indian Industry (CII).
The bilateral trade between the two nations stood at $ 14 billion in 2023-24, below $ 18.77 billion in the previous year. Qatar remains the largest GNL and LPG supplier in India, while India exports cereals, iron and steel, textiles and machinery to Qatar.
Speaking at the event, the Minister of Commerce and Industry, Piyush Goyal, emphasized the need to diversify trade beyond energy. “We are seeing a new future where the commercial transitions of energy dependence on the technologies of the new age, such as artificial intelligence, quantum computing and semiconductors,” he said.
Two keys of the Mous were signed: one between the Confederation of the Indian Industry (CII) and the Association of Business Companies of Qatar (QBA) and the other between Invest in India and invest Qatar, racing the way for greater collaboration in commerce and investment.
In addition, the National Bank of Qatar is expanding its presence in India by establishing an office in the Gujarat gift city, further strengthening financial ties between the two nations.
Beyond economic cooperation, leaders also discussed regional and global issues. The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), of which Qatar is a key member, is dedicated to free trade discussions with India.
According to PTI, the Minister of Commerce, Goyal, mentioned that India remains open to bilateral and multilateral trade agreements with the Nations of the CCG.
Apart from the conversations, the performance of Indian rupee was also discussed, and Goyal said that Indian foreign exchange reserves remain strong, ensuring stability in financial markets.