Tribune News Network
Doha
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi will pay an official visit to Qatar on February 14 and 15, in his second visit to the country. His last visit to Qatar was in June 2016.
During the visit, the Indian prime minister will meet the Amir His HighnessSheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani and other dignitaries. Modi and His Highness the Amir have maintained regular touch over the past years and last met in Dubai on December 1, 2023, on the sidelines of the COP28 Summit.
During the meetings, the leadership of both sides are likely to discuss ways to further strengthen the multifaceted bilateral relationship and exchange views on regional and international issues.
In a statement, Ambassador of India to Qatar HE Vipul said, “We are delighted that the prime minister of India is visiting Qatar for the second time. There is great excitement among Indians living in Qatar for the visit. India and Qatar share historic and friendly relations and Prime Minister’s visit will take the relationship to a higher trajectory.” The India-Qatar bilateral relationship has been steadily expanding in recent years through regular and substantive engagements between the two countries. India and Qatar commemorated 50 years of establishment of full diplomatic relations in 2023. Relations between both countries span all domains such as politics, trade, investment, energy, security, education, culture, and sports.
The two countries have a strong trade relationship with a bilateral trade of about $19bn in 2022-23. Qatar is an important pillar of India’s energy security. Recently QatarEnergy and Petronet LNG Ltd signed a long-term Sale and Purchase Agreement for supply of 7.5 MMTPA LNG for 20 years starting from 2028. Qatar is also an important source of foreign direct investments in India. More than 200 flights per week connect the two countries.
The Indian ambassador added, “There are several strong pillars of India-Qatar bilateral relations including cultural and people-to-people ties as well as trade, investment, and energy partnership. The visit will give a boost to trade between both countries which was about $19bn in 2022-23. We also look forward to a further increase in mutual investments. There have been several large investments by QIA into India recently.
The recent LNG Agreement between both countries is important for India’s energy security and there are several opportunities for enhancing this pillar including mutual investments in gas infrastructure.”
A vibrant Indian community in Qatar is a testament to the close people-to-people ties that continue to nurture the cultural bonds between the two countries. Some 20 schools and an Indian university are functioning in Qatar.
Talking about the Indian community, the ambassador said, “Qatar is a second home to many Indians and the closeness of both countries was visible in the celebration by the community of Qatar’s victory in AFC 2023 as well as the pride in the community on Qatar’s great success in hosting FIFA 2022. The prime minister’s visit highlights the fraternal relations between the peoples of India and Qatar.”
