India-Qatar Strengthen Ties with Strategic Partnership and Economic Cooperation

GG News Bureau
New Delhi, 18th Feb. At the invitation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, His Highness the Amir of the State of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani, visited India on a state visit from February 17-18, 2025, accompanied by a high-level delegation. This marks the second state visit of HH the Amir to India. The Amir was received with a ceremonial welcome by President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Modi at Rashtrapati Bhawan on February 18, followed by a banquet hosted by the President.

Bilateral discussions between Prime Minister Modi and HH the Amir at Hyderabad House focused on further strengthening the historic trade and people-to-people ties between the two nations. Both leaders expressed their commitment to deepening cooperation across multiple sectors, including trade, energy, security, and culture. A key outcome of the discussions was the signing of the ‘Agreement on the Establishment of Bilateral Strategic Partnership,’ which aims to enhance cooperation in areas such as technology, innovation, education, sustainability, and defense.

The leaders also welcomed the signing of the revised Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement and agreed to expedite negotiations on the Bilateral Investment Treaty. They highlighted the importance of boosting bilateral trade, setting a target to double it by 2030, and discussed the creation of a Joint Commission on Trade and Commerce to oversee economic cooperation.

In the realm of investment, both sides welcomed Qatar Investment Authority’s (QIA) decision to open an office in India. Qatar expressed a commitment to invest USD 10 billion in India, focusing on sectors like infrastructure, technology, and manufacturing. Both sides agreed to further explore opportunities for collaboration in energy, food security, logistics, and hospitality.

On the defense front, the two leaders emphasized cooperation in countering terrorism and transnational crimes. They agreed to enhance intelligence sharing, capacity building, and strengthen law enforcement cooperation, including in cybersecurity.

Health, culture, education, and sports were also highlighted as essential areas of collaboration. The two countries are set to celebrate the India-Qatar Year of Culture, Friendship, and Sports and will promote deeper cooperation in education, research, and cultural exchanges.

Both sides also reaffirmed their support for regional stability and global cooperation, discussing issues like the security situation in the Middle East, UN reforms, and their coordination in multilateral forums, including the United Nations and the GCC.

The visit culminated in an announcement of a strategic roadmap for future engagement, underscoring the deep and growing partnership between India and Qatar in various fields.