Prime Minister Narendra Modi's personal welcome of Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al-Thani at the New Delhi airport on February 17, 2025, broke established diplomatic protocol, underscoring the deep relationship between India and Qatar.
This marked the second visit of the Qatar Emir to India, his first being in 2015. The two-day state visit is aimed at strengthening bilateral ties across various sectors, such as trade, energy, technology, and defence.
Sheikh Tamim's arrival in India was marked by a warm reception at the airport, with PM Modi expressing a personal connection by referring to the Emir as his ‘brother’ in a tweet.
He wrote, "Went to the airport to welcome my brother, Emir of Qatar HH Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al Thani. Wishing him a fruitful stay in India and looking forward to our meeting tomorrow." This personal gesture was reciprocated with cultural performances and a grand welcome, highlighting the significance of this state visit.
The visit follows the invitation extended by India’s government and is of great importance, as both countries have witnessed a substantial improvement in their relationship in recent years. This visit highlights the growing strategic ties, particularly in energy, trade, and security.
In his two-day trip, the Emir will meet President Droupadi Murmu and hold bilateral talks with Prime Minister Modi. During these meetings, areas such as trade, investment, energy security, and technology cooperation are expected to be discussed in depth.
As both countries continue to strengthen their bilateral relationship, the exchange of Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) will also take place. The Emir’s ceremonial welcome at the Rashtrapati Bhavan, followed by talks at Hyderabad House with PM Modi, marks a significant milestone in the deepening of ties.
Trade between India and Qatar has been growing steadily, with the total trade volume nearing $20 billion. Qatar plays a crucial role in India’s energy security, being the largest supplier of Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) to India, accounting for over 48 percent of India’s LNG imports in 2022-2023.
In addition, Qatar is the biggest supplier of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) to India, making it a significant partner in India’s energy landscape. As such, the trade discussions during the Emir's visit are expected to explore further opportunities for cooperation in energy, technology, and renewable energy.
While energy is a cornerstone of the bilateral relationship, other areas of cooperation have been growing. India exports a wide range of products to Qatar, including cereals, copper, and textiles.
The countries are keen on expanding their trade relations to new areas such as fintech, renewable energy, and start-ups, areas that are increasingly central to their economic future.
In addition to trade, defence ties between the two nations are robust. India regularly offers defence training slots to Qatar and participates in the biennial Doha International Maritime Defence Exhibition and Conference.
Regular visits by Indian Naval and Coast Guard ships to Qatar also contribute to the ongoing defence collaboration.
Cultural ties between India and Qatar are equally significant. India has a large expatriate community in Qatar, with over 840,000 Indians living and working across various sectors including engineering, medicine, finance, and business.
Additionally, about 15,000 Indian companies operate in Qatar, highlighting the strong economic presence of India in the region. These people-to-people connections play a vital role in fostering goodwill between the two countries.
However, one contentious issue remains: the case of former Indian naval personnel detained in Qatar. In 2022, eight ex-Navy officials were arrested on charges of espionage, initially facing the death sentence.
Following intervention from India, the sentence was commuted, and seven of them were released in February 2023. This issue remains a sensitive topic in India-Qatar relations.
Qatar has also emerged as a critical player in the security landscape of the Middle East. Its role as a mediator in peace processes, such as those between Israel and Hamas, and its hosting of talks with the Taliban, adds a diplomatic dimension to its relationship with India.
Although India has not formally recognised the Taliban regime, it has engaged with them, especially on regional and economic matters. Experts believe that Qatar, with its close ties to both India and the Taliban, could help mediate and convey India’s interests to the Taliban.
As India continues to build ties with the West Asian region, Qatar’s visit holds significant diplomatic importance.
Harsh V Pant, a professor at King’s College London, highlighted the importance of Qatar’s role as a conduit for communication between India and the Taliban, further solidifying Qatar’s importance in Indian foreign policy.
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