His Highness Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al-Thani’s visit to India from February 17-18, 2025, focused on enhancing diplomatic, economic, and cultural relations.

His Highness Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al-Thani, the Amir of the State of Qatar, concluded his State Visit to India, which took place from February 17-18, 2025, at the invitation of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi. This visit marked his second official trip to India, following his previous visit in March 2015. The Amir was accompanied by a high-level delegation comprising ministers, senior officials, and business leaders.

The visit underscored the deep-rooted historical ties between India and Qatar and provided an opportunity to further strengthen their multifaceted partnership, particularly in areas such as trade, investment, energy, security, and cultural cooperation.

Ceremonial Welcome and High-Level Meetings

On February 18, 2025, the Amir was accorded a ceremonial welcome at the forecourt of Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi. He was received by the Hon’ble President of India, Smt. Droupadi Murmu, and Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi. Following the ceremonial reception, President Murmu hosted a banquet in honor of the Amir and his accompanying delegation.

During the visit, the Amir and Prime Minister Modi held bilateral discussions at Hyderabad House, where both leaders reaffirmed their commitment to further strengthening the strategic relationship between India and Qatar. Their discussions covered a wide range of topics, including economic cooperation, trade, security, energy collaboration, digital transformation, cultural exchanges, and people-to-people ties.

Economic and Trade Cooperation

Trade and investment remained central to the discussions between the two sides. Both countries emphasized the importance of expanding their economic partnership and signed several agreements aimed at enhancing bilateral cooperation. Among the key developments:

  • The signing of an Agreement on the Establishment of Bilateral Strategic Partnership, marking a new phase in India-Qatar relations.
  • The revision of the Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement to facilitate smoother financial transactions and reduce fiscal barriers.
  • The elevation of the existing Joint Working Group on Trade and Commerce to a Joint Commission on Trade and Commerce, which will serve as a platform to review and expand economic cooperation.
  • The announcement that Qatar Investment Authority (QIA) would open an office in India to facilitate investments and explore new opportunities.
  • A commitment from Qatar to invest $10 billion in India across various sectors, including infrastructure, technology, food security, and logistics.

Both countries agreed to explore the possibility of negotiating a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) and set a target to double their bilateral trade by 2030.

Energy and Financial Collaboration

Recognizing Qatar’s role as a key energy supplier to India, both sides agreed to strengthen cooperation in the energy sector. They committed to promoting mutual investments in energy infrastructure and enhancing collaboration through regular meetings of relevant stakeholders.

On financial cooperation, India’s Unified Payments Interface (UPI) was operationalized in Qatar through QNB’s points of sale. Both countries expressed their interest in expanding digital payment mechanisms and exploring the possibility of conducting bilateral trade settlements in their respective currencies.

Security and Counterterrorism Cooperation

Security and counterterrorism cooperation were also key areas of discussion. Both leaders unequivocally condemned terrorism in all its forms and agreed to collaborate in countering transnational crimes, cybersecurity threats, and money laundering. They committed to strengthening cooperation in intelligence sharing, law enforcement, and capacity building in security-related fields.

Cultural, Educational, and People-to-People Ties

Both countries emphasized the importance of cultural cooperation and announced plans to celebrate an India-Qatar Year of Culture, Friendship, and Sports in the near future. Educational ties were also highlighted, with a focus on expanding academic exchanges, research collaborations, and partnerships between higher education institutions in both countries.

The leaders acknowledged the significant contributions of the Indian expatriate community in Qatar, which forms the largest foreign workforce in the country. The Indian government extended its e-visa facility to Qatari nationals, further facilitating travel between the two nations. Additionally, both sides agreed to hold regular meetings of the Joint Working Group on Labour and Employment to address issues related to labor welfare and mobility.

Regional and Global Cooperation

The leaders exchanged views on key regional and international issues, emphasizing the importance of dialogue and diplomacy for resolving global challenges. They discussed India-GCC cooperation, UN reforms, and international security concerns. India appreciated Qatar’s role in facilitating the inaugural India-GCC Joint Ministerial Meeting for Strategic Dialogue in Riyadh in 2024.

The visit of His Highness Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al-Thani reaffirmed the strong bonds of friendship between India and Qatar. Both sides expressed their commitment to further strengthening bilateral ties in diverse sectors, with a shared vision for economic growth, regional stability, and global cooperation. The agreements signed and discussions held during the visit are expected to provide a roadmap for deeper engagement between the two countries in the years ahead.

Source: MEA, PIB, PM INDIA