India and Qatar strengthened their bilateral ties on Tuesday by signing an agreement to elevate their relationship to a Strategic Partnership.
The deal, along with several Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs), focuses on key areas such as trade, energy, technology, innovation, investments, food security, and cultural exchanges.
The agreement was formalized in a ceremony held at Hyderabad House in New Delhi. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Qatar’s Amir, Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al Thani, attended the event.
The two leaders also discussed and signed a revised agreement to avoid double taxation and prevent fiscal evasion regarding income taxes.
Randhir Jaiswal, Official Spokesperson, Ministry of External Affairs, stated, “PM @narendramodi & HH Sheikh @TamimbinHamad Al-Thani, Amir of the State of Qatar held wide-ranging talks at Hyderabad House today. Both leaders decided to elevate India-Qatar relations to a Strategic Partnership with focus on trade, energy, investments, innovation, technology, food security, culture & people-to-people ties. They also exchanged views on regional and global issues of mutual interest.”
Earlier, Prime Minister Narendra Modi met the Amir of Qatar, Tamim Bin Hamad Al Thani, at Hyderabad House in New Delhi for delegation-level talks.
The leaders exchanged pleasantries and greeted each other with a handshake upon arrival.
Prime Minister Modi led the Indian delegation. The delegation included External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, and several other senior ministers.
Amir Tamim Bin Hamad Al Thani headed the Qatari delegation.
Earlier in the day, Amir of Qatar Tamim Bin Hamad Al Thani was accorded a Guard of Honour. He also received a ceremonial welcome at the Rashtrapati Bhavan forecourt.
President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, along with senior government ministers, received him.
The Qatari Amir also engaged in discussions with Indian ministers and interacted with the accompanying Qatari delegation.
Qatar’s Amir Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al Thani arrived in Delhi on Monday for a two-day State visit.
Earlier in the day, Prime Minister Modi warmly welcomed the Qatari Amir at Palam Technical Airport in Delhi on Monday. He called him his brother and wished him a fruitful stay in India.
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar also met with the Amir upon his arrival.
The Amir of Qatar is accompanied by a high-level delegation, including ministers, senior officials, and business representatives. This marks his second State visit to India, the first being in March 2015.
According to an official release, the Indian community in Qatar, the largest expatriate group, contributes significantly to Qatar’s growth and development and receives widespread recognition for it.
The visit of the Amir of Qatar will likely strengthen the dynamic and expanding partnership between the two nations.
India and Qatar’s collaboration across various sectors has been steadily advancing. Their long-standing ties and consistent high-level engagements between the two governments support this progress.
