New Delhi: India and Qatar have taken a significant step forward in their diplomatic and economic ties, officially elevating their bilateral relationship to a Strategic Partnership. This announcement followed high-level talks between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Qatar’s Amir Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al-Thani during the Qatari leader’s state visit to India.

A major highlight of the visit was Qatar’s commitment to invest $10 billion in India across key sectors such as infrastructure, technology, manufacturing, food security, logistics, and hospitality. The two nations also set an ambitious target to double their bilateral trade from the current $14 billion to $28 billion within the next five years.

During the discussions, Modi and Sheikh Tamim underscored the deep-rooted historical trade linkages between India and Qatar. The two leaders also signed two key agreements—one formalising the new strategic partnership and another revising the double taxation avoidance agreement to promote cross-border investments. Additionally, five Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) were inked, covering economic cooperation, archive management, and youth and sports collaboration.

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Qatar plays a crucial role in India’s energy security. Last year, both countries signed a $78 billion agreement to extend India’s LNG imports from Qatar for another 20 years, at rates lower than prevailing market prices. Energy cooperation remained a major focus of the discussions, alongside investment, technology, and people-to-people ties.

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Beyond trade and economic matters, the two leaders exchanged views on regional and global issues of mutual interest, reinforcing the strong diplomatic ties between the nations. Earlier in the day, President Droupadi Murmu welcomed Sheikh Tamim at Rashtrapati Bhavan with a ceremonial guard of honour, with Modi also in attendance.

The Amir’s visit comes after Modi’s own trip to Qatar in February 2024, further strengthening the high-level engagements between the two nations. In a rare diplomatic gesture, Modi personally received the Qatari leader at the Delhi airport, reflecting the India-Qatar relations.