Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al-Thani arrived in India for a two-day state visit on February 17, 2023. Prime Minister Narendra Modi personally welcomed the Emir at the New Delhi airport, breaking the usual protocol. Modi shared his warm greeting on X, saying, “Went to the airport to welcome my brother, Emir of Qatar H H Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al Thani. Wishing him a fruitful stay in India and looking forward to our meeting tomorrow.”

Went to the airport to welcome my brother, Amir of Qatar H.H. Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al Thani. Wishing him a fruitful stay in India and looking forward to our meeting tomorrow.@TamimBinHamad pic.twitter.com/seReF2N26V

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) February 17, 2025

Key Talks and Future Cooperation

The Emir’s visit focuses on strengthening ties in trade, investment, energy, and technology. Upon arrival, he met with India’s External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar. Jaishankar expressed his honor in welcoming the Emir and expressed his optimism about advancing their cooperation. He posted on X, “Honoured to call on H H @TamimBinHamad, emir of Qatar on his arrival in New Delhi for a state visit. Value his guidance on advancing our cooperation in many domains.”

On February 18, the Emir will meet with PM Modi at the Hyderabad House to discuss various aspects of their bilateral relationship. Their talks will lay the groundwork for further cooperation between the two nations.

Trade Relations and Economic Ties

Trade between India and Qatar is thriving, totaling around $20 billion. Qatar is India’s largest supplier of liquefied natural gas (LNG), covering over 48% of India’s LNG imports. Additionally, Qatar supplies 29% of India’s total LPG imports. Meanwhile, India exports a variety of goods, including cereals, copper, chemicals, and textiles to Qatar.

Both nations are eager to expand their trade relations by exploring new sectors such as renewable energy, fintech, and technology. This visit opens new avenues for collaboration in these areas.

Defense and Cultural Cooperation

India and Qatar also share strong defense ties. India offers defense training opportunities to Qatar, and the two countries regularly engage in defense-related events, such as the Doha International Maritime Defence Exhibition.

Culturally, India’s expatriate community is the largest in Qatar, with around 8.4 lakh Indians living there. These individuals are employed across various sectors, including medicine, education, and business. Additionally, more than 15,000 Indian companies operate in Qatar.

Pending Issues and Regional Influence

While relations are strong, a pending issue remains: the case of an Indian former naval officer still detained in Qatar. In 2022, eight ex-Navy personnel were arrested on espionage charges. Seven of them were released after diplomatic intervention, but one is still in custody.

Qatar also plays an important role in the security of West Asia. It has mediated between Israel and Hamas and hosted meetings with the Taliban. India’s outreach to the Taliban, with Qatar’s help, could provide a pathway for future diplomatic engagement.

Qatar's Role in India's Diplomacy

As India strengthens its diplomatic ties, Qatar is becoming increasingly important. Harsh V Pant, a professor of International Relations, noted, “As India progresses towards reaching out to the Taliban, Qatar may convey the views of the Taliban to New Delhi.”