Upon his arrival at Palam Air Base in New Delhi on February 17, HH the Amir was warmly received by Prime Minister Modi and External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar. The following day, a ceremonial reception was held at Rashtrapati Bhavan, where President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Modi formally welcomed the Qatari leader. President Murmu also hosted a state banquet in honor of HH the Amir and his accompanying delegation.
Bilateral discussions between HH the Amir and Prime Minister Modi took place at Hyderabad House on February 18. The talks encompassed a wide range of topics, including trade, investment, energy cooperation, and cultural exchanges. A notable outcome of the meeting was the decision to elevate India-Qatar relations to a ‘strategic partnership,’ reflecting the mutual commitment to strengthening ties across various sectors.
Several Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) were signed to bolster economic collaboration:
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MoU between Invest India and Invest Qatar: This agreement aims to facilitate mutual investments and open new avenues for economic cooperation.
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MoU between the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) and the Qatari Businessmen Association: This pact seeks to enhance business-to-business interactions and promote trade and investment opportunities between the two countries.
Both nations expressed satisfaction with the signing of a revised Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement, which is expected to further ease financial transactions and encourage cross-border investments. Additionally, they agreed to expedite negotiations on the India-Qatar Bilateral Investment Treaty, aiming to provide a robust framework for investors.
The visit underscored the longstanding friendship and cooperation between India and Qatar. With a significant Indian expatriate community in Qatar contributing to its development, both leaders acknowledged the importance of people-to-people ties in strengthening bilateral relations. HH the Amir’s visit is poised to provide renewed momentum to the multifaceted partnership between the two nations, paving the way for enhanced collaboration in the years to come.
Rashtrapati Bhavan -New Delhi -17th February 2025
