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The two leaders met each for high-level talks earlier in the day, with the Ministry of External Affairs saying that a “new milestone” is on the cards for this “special” bilateral partnership.
PM Modi with Amir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al-Thani at Hyderabad House, Delhi. (PTI)
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in the presence of senior government officials, held delegation-level talks with Amir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al Thani at Hyderabad House in New Delhi, wherein both countries decided to elevate ties to a strategic partnership.
Union Ministers Hardeep Puri, Piyush Goyal, Nirmala Sitharaman, Mansukh Mandaviya and PK Mishra were part of Indian delegation. The two sides also exchanged several Memorandums Of Understanding (MoUs) in trade, technology and investments.
India and Qatar signed an agreement to formally elevate their ties to a strategic partnership between the two countries in the presence of PM Modi and Sheikh Tamim, with focus on trade, energy, investments, innovation, technology, food security, culture and people-to-people ties.
They also signed a revised agreement or avoidance of double taxation and prevention of fiscal evasion with respect to taxes. The double taxation agreement is a crucial step for establishing a free trade agreement (FTA) between the two countries. Both leaders also exchanged views on regional and global issues of mutual interest.
PM Modi’s Rare Gesture For Qatar Amir
Earlier today, PM Modi met the Amir for talks at the Hyderabad House here, with the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) saying that a “new milestone” is on the cards for this “special” bilateral partnership.
Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al-Thani was also accorded a ceremonial guard of honour at the Rashtrapati Bhavan as President Droupadi Murmu welcomed the visiting leader.
In a rare gesture on Monday, the Indian Prime Minister personally received the Amir at Delhi airport. The two leaders were seen talking and exchanging warm hugs. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar was also at the present to receive him.
Hamad Al-Thani’s two-day visit comes at the invitation of Prime Minister Modi. This would be the second state visit of the Amir of Qatar to India. He earlier visited India in March 2015.
According to the MEA, his visit will provide “further momentum to our growing multifaceted partnership”. He will be accompanied by a high-level delegation, including ministers, senior officials and a business delegation, read MEA’s statement.
India and Qatar have deep-rooted historical ties of friendship, trust and mutual respect. In recent years, the ties between the two countries, including in the areas of trade, investment, energy, technology, culture and people-to-people ties, have continued to strengthen.
The Indian community residing in Qatar forms the largest expatriate community of Qatar, and is “appreciated for its positive contribution in the progress and development of Qatar”, the MEA said earlier.
