India, Qatar agree to elevate bilateral ties to strategic partnership

Briefing the media in New Delhi last evening, the Secretary, of CBP and Overseas Indian Affairs, in the Ministry of External Affairs, Arun Kumar Chatterjee, said that during the bilateral talks between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Amir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al Thani, both leaders recalled the historic trade linkages, deep-rooted people-to-people ties, and robust bilateral relations between the two countries. He said that to elevate the relationship to a strategic partnership, India and Qatar today signed an agreement. 

Mr. Chatterjee said that trade, investment, and energy were among the major topics of discussion between the two leaders. He said that the trade today between India and Qatar is about 14 billion dollars annually. The Secretary said that both sides have agreed to set a target to double it in the next five years. The Secretary said that Qatar is also an important partner for investments in India. Qatar’s sovereign wealth fund, Qatar Investment Authority, currently has about 1.5 billion dollars in Foreign Direct Investment



in India. He said that both leaders today identified several areas in which Qatar Investment Authority can increase investments in India.

Mr Chatterjee said two agreements and five MoUs have been signed during the State visit of the Amir of Qatar. He said the first agreement is on the establishment of a bilateral strategic partnership. A revised double taxation avoidance agreement was also signed. Mr Chatterjee said both sides have also signed MoUs on economic partnership, cooperation in the area of archives and documentation, and youth affairs and sports.

The Secretary said that the Prime Minister made a special gesture to receive the Amir of Qatar at the airport. He said that this shows not only the strength of the relations between the two countries but also the high personal regard that both leaders have for each other. Mr. Chatterjee said that the Amir of the State of Qatar is accompanied by a high-level delegation comprising ministers, senior officials, and business leaders.