Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday met Qatar’s Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani at his palace in Doha. On Prime Minister Modi’s arrival, he was formally welcomed at the Amiri Palace. After this both sides held delegation level talks. The discussions covered a wide range of topics including economic cooperation, investment, energy partnership, space cooperation, urban infrastructure, cultural bonds and people-to-people ties. The two leaders also exchanged views on regional and global issues.
This is the first meeting of Prime Minister Narendra Modi with Amir Sheikh Tamim of Qatar after the release of eight Indians. Before meeting Qatar’s Amir Sheikh Tamim, PM Modi also held a bilateral meeting with Qatar’s Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdul Rahman Al Thani in Doha. Regarding this meeting, PM Modi wrote in a social media post, “It was a wonderful meeting with Qatar’s PM Al Thani, we discussed ways to promote India-Qatar friendship. According to the Ministry of External Affairs, PM Modi took India-Qatar partnership forward. Adding further, he also had a meaningful meeting with the Prime Minister of Qatar.
Amir Sheikh invited to visit India
PM Modi thanked the Amir for taking care of the over eight lakh strong Indian community in Qatar and conveyed India’s commitment to further expand and deepen bilateral cooperation with Qatar. He also invited the Amir to visit India soon. Sheikh Tamim, on his part, echoed Prime Minister Modi’s sentiments and praised India’s role as a valued partner in the Gulf region. He also appreciated the contribution of the vibrant Indian community to the development of Qatar and their enthusiastic participation in various international events held in the Gulf country. The meeting was followed by lunch at the Amiri Palace, which was organized in the honor of Prime Minister Modi.
PM Modi also met Sheikh Tamim’s father:
Modi also met Sheikh Tamim’s father and former Amir Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani and congratulated him for his visionary leadership that paved the way for Qatar’s development over the past decades. Both the leaders discussed India-Qatar relations. The Prime Minister praised Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani for his insightful comments on regional and global developments. The former Amir affirmed that India and Qatar share an unbreakable bond, which is a symbol of mutual trust and cooperation. He also appreciated the role of the Indian community in Qatar’s development and promoting bilateral partnership, the official said.
Qatar joined UAE tour later:
Prime Minister Narendra Modi was on a two-day visit to UAE, but Qatar was included in it and the main reason for this was the release of nine Indian soldiers. There is a gas supply agreement worth $78 billion for 20 years between India and Qatar. This agreement was to end in 2028, but before that it has been extended.
