Want to diversify India-Qatar trade linkages: PM Modi

New Delhi: As they announced to elevate the ties to a strategic partnership, India and Qatar also expressed happiness at the signing of the revised Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement and expediting negotiations on the India-Qatar Bilateral Investment Treaty. 

During their comprehensive talks held at Hyderabad House, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Amir of the State of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani reaffirmed their commitment to further strengthen the bilateral relations through regular and structured cooperation in all areas, including political, trade, investment, security, energy, culture, education, technology, innovation, sustainability and people-to-people ties.

"Had a very productive meeting with my brother, the Amir of Qatar H.H. Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al Thani, earlier today. Under his leadership, Qatar has scaled new heights of progress. He is also committed to a strong India-Qatar friendship. This visit is even more special because we have elevated our ties to a Strategic Partnership," PM Modi posted on X after the banquet reception hosted in honor of the Amir and accompanying delegation by President Droupadi Murmu at the Rashtrapati Bhawan.

"Trade featured prominently in our talks. We want to increase and diversify India-Qatar trade linkages. Our nations can also work closely in sectors like energy, technology, healthcare, food processing, pharma and green hydrogen," he added.

Recalling the successful visit of the Amir to India in March 2015 and the visits of Prime Minister Modi to Qatar in June 2016 and February 2024, the two sides noted with satisfaction that regular interactions at various levels have helped provide momentum to the multifaceted bilateral cooperation. The high-level exchanges, they announced, would continue through regular bilateral mechanisms at ministerial and senior-official levels.

"The two sides noted that trade and commerce has been a strong pillar of bilateral economic cooperation between the two countries and emphasised on the potential for further growth and diversification in bilateral trade. The two sides welcomed the elevation of the existing Joint Working Group on Trade and Commerce into a Joint Commission on Trade and Commerce. The Joint Commission will be an institutional mechanism to review and monitor the entire spectrum of economic ties between the two countries and will be headed by the Ministers of Commerce and Industry on both sides," an India-Qatar Joint Statement detailed.

The two sides also acknowledged that the centuries old people-to-people ties represent a fundamental pillar of the historic India-Qatar relationship.

The Indian side also thanked Qatar for its support to the growing India-GCC cooperation and for facilitating the inaugural India-GCC Joint Ministerial Meeting for Strategic Dialogue at the level of Foreign Ministers held in Riyadh last September under Qatar’s Chairmanship.

Earlier in the day, the Amir was received by President Murmu and Prime Minister Modi at the forecourt of Rashtrapati Bhawan and accorded a ceremonial welcome. The visiting leader was accompanied by a high-level delegation comprising ministers, officials and business leaders on his second State Visit to India.