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- PM Modi Broke Protocol And Received Amir Of Qatar At Airport
- India and Qatar to Double Trade by 2030
- $10 Billion Investment on the Horizon
By Jai Kumar Verma
New Delhi. 02 March 2025. In a landmark diplomatic engagement, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Qatar’s Amir, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani, met in New Delhi on February 18, 2025, marking a significant elevation in bilateral relations. The visit, which saw Modi personally receiving the Qatari leader at the airport—breaking traditional protocol—underscored India’s emphasis on strengthening ties with Qatar. The two leaders agreed to elevate their relationship to a strategic partnership while setting ambitious targets, including doubling bilateral trade from $14.08 billion to $28 billion in the next five years. Key areas of discussion included energy collaboration, economic investments, technology, and security, highlighting the deepening cooperation between the two nations.
Both leaders gave special emphasis on energy, trade, technology and food security. Both the leaders also discussed about bilateral relations and regional as well as international issues including Israel-Hamas struggle. In a rare gesture Prime Minister Modi received Amir of Qatar at the airport which was a clear signal that India attaches great importance to the visit of Sheikh Tamim to India. Sheikh Tamim was accompanied by a high-level delegation and it was the second visit of the Amir of Qatar to India. The first state visit occurred in March 2015.
Qatar is the biggest supplier of liquefied natural gas (LNG) and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) to India. In financial year 2023-2024, Qatar supplied 10.91 million metric tonnes of LNG and 4.92 million metric tonnes of LPG. In February 2024 Qatar Energy and Petronet LNG Limited signed an agreement for the supply of 7.5 million metric tonnes of LNG per annum to India for 20 years. The agreement would commence from early 2028. Petronet LNG Limited is an Indian oil and gas company of Government of India. The LNG import by India would be enhanced significantly in near future. Qatar is also expanding its LNG export volume. US and Qatar are two main suppliers of LNG and both intends to enhance their export capacity. Besides contractual imports India also buys LNG from Qatar through spot market.
U.S. which is the largest exporter of LNG in the world and second largest LNG supplier to India would like to export more oil and gas to India so that U.S. trade deficiency with India lessens. Both sides also discussed about Israel-Hamas conflict and about the peace efforts from other countries. The current situation in West Asia was also discussed and both countries explained their positions on this important issue.
The signing of strategic partnership agreement is crucial. Now both countries would deepen their cooperation in multiple areas including energy, trade and security. Now both countries can closely collaborate on regional and international forums. However, it also means that no country would provide security to other country.
Both countries denounced all types of terrorism including cross border terrorism, they also signed intelligence exchange agreement. India and Qatar signed Comprehensive Economic Agreement under this India can provide more man power to Qatar. It may prove beneficial to India in case Trump administration deports more Indians they can go to Qatar and work as they are trained people. Both countries agreed to strengthen collaboration in law enforcement and work against money-laundering, drug-trafficking, cybercrime etc. as these crimes have become a big menace to the society. A bilateral air service agreement was also signed by both the countries to improve the connectivity. India has strategic partnership with four other Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) members including Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates (UAE), Kuwait and Oman.
Qatar was born in 1971 and joined GCC and became very close to Saudi Arabia which was the leader of Sunni Muslims. It played an important role in 1991 in Gulf War and provided support to Saudi Arabian National Guards. It also allowed Canada, U.S. and France to use its territory. Since 2022 it is a major non-NATO ally of U.S. and it has strong ties with France, Iran, China and Turkey. It also supported several Islamist movements including Muslim Brotherhood which is considered a terrorist organisation by several countries. Saudi Arabia, UAE, Bahrain, Egypt and Yemen accused that Qatar is supporting terrorism and severed diplomatic ties in June 2017. However, the diplomatic ties were restored in January 2021 after signing of AIUIa Declaration.
Bilateral collaboration extended beyond trade and security to human capital as well. With approximately 830,000 Indians living in Qatar, both leaders discussed labour welfare and employment opportunities. The signing of a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) will facilitate skilled manpower exchange, benefiting Indian workers seeking opportunities in Qatar’s growing industries.
India and Qatar also reinforced commitments to enhancing connectivity by signing a bilateral air service agreement. This move is expected to facilitate smoother travel and trade between the two nations. Meanwhile, India’s push for “Make in India” initiatives found support in Qatar, which expressed interest in importing Indian-manufactured goods, further strengthening economic integration.
In 1995 Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani became the ruler of Qatar and he created Al Jazeera Media network with headquarters at Doha. The network which is funded by government provides coverage of regional and international news, along with analysis, documentaries, and talk shows. Its digital channel AJ+ is viewed by younger audiences. Al Jazeera claims that it broadcasts in over 150 countries and territories, and has a large global audience of over 430 million people. Al Jazeera newspaper and its channel highlights and gives prominent coverage to the shortcomings of GCC countries including their ruling families but it does not criticise or focus the shortcomings of Qatar or its ruling family. The Arab nations mention that the news channel criticise other countries on behest of Qatar rulers. In 1996 Doha improved relation with Israel. It is the first GCC country to improve relations with Israel.
The visit of Sheikh Tamim is important as it occurred after almost a decade and that too after the strains caused due to the death sentence awarded to eight retired Indian Navy officers. Amir of Qatar pardoned them and out of eight, seven returned to India while one continued working there. Modi paid a visit to Qatar after release of the retired navy officers.
In a nutshell the visit has strengthened India Qatar relations which will benefit both the countries. The current investment will be helpful in developing infrastructure, improving technology, logistics, hospitality just to name few. Qatar’s export of LNG & LPG is helpful in solving India’s energy needs. Both countries are trying to make a free trade agreement which would further enhance economic relations. Condemning of terrorism and information sharing is important as terrorists cannot take shelter in Qatar after committing direct or indirect terrorist acts in India. As India is giving much emphasis on ‘Make in India’ Delhi would need rich countries like Qatar to buy goods manufactured in India. Hence both countries agreed to double bilateral trade by 2030. Opening of an office by Qatar’s Investment Authority (QIA) in India, indicates that Doha has confidence in rapid development of India.
Additionally, Qatar’s decision to introduce India’s Unified Payments Interface (UPI) is a progressive step toward enhancing financial integration. As India continues to expand its global economic footprint, strategic partnerships like this one with Qatar will play a crucial role in shaping its future on the world stage.
A key highlight of the visit was the Qatar Investment Authority’s (QIA) announcement of a $10 billion investment in India’s infrastructure, ports, shipbuilding, artificial intelligence (AI), robotics, start-ups, and renewable energy sectors. This investment is expected to accelerate India’s economic growth while fostering greater collaboration in technological advancements.
To strengthen economic ties, both nations signed five Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs), including agreements on economic cooperation, youth affairs, and taxation. The revised tax agreement aims to prevent double taxation and financial circumvention, ensuring a more transparent and structured financial exchange between the two economies.
The visit of Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani to India, after nearly a decade, marked a significant milestone in India-Qatar relations. By upgrading their ties to a strategic partnership, both nations have laid the foundation for deeper cooperation in energy, trade, security, and technology. The $10 billion Qatari investment in India’s infrastructure and digital sectors is a strong indicator of Doha’s confidence in India’s growth trajectory. The commitment to doubling trade by 2030, coupled with agreements on taxation, intelligence sharing, and aviation, highlights a comprehensive framework for future collaboration.
(Jai Kumar Verma is a Delhi-based strategic analyst and member of United Services Institute of India and The Manohar Parrikar Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses,. The views in the article are solely the author’s. He can be contacted at editor.adu@gmail.com)
