Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is well known for breaking traditional diplomacy and navigating in his own way to secure Indian interests. This time too on Monday (February 17, 2025), in a rare and symbolic gesture of diplomacy, the Prime Minister personally received the Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al-Thani, at the New Delhi airport. The Emir landed in the country for a two-day state visit during which he met President Droupadi Murmu and held talks with Modi. Trade, investment, energy, and strategic partnerships were high on the agenda. The two nations sealed a $10 billion investment deal with Qatar pledging to invest the corpus in Indian sectors like Infrastructure, tech, food, logistics and hospitality. They have set $28 billion trade target by 2030, elevated bilateral ties to Strategic partnership.
A Grand Welcome for ‘Brother’ Al-Thani
Breaking protocol, Prime Minister Modi extended a warm welcome to the Qatari Head, underscoring the deep ties between the two nations.
Posting on social media platform X, PM Modi wrote, “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.”
Alongside him, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar was also present at the airport. Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal described it as a “special gesture for a special friend.”
The Emir was greeted with a ceremonial reception, complete with cultural performances by Indian artists, making his arrival a grand affair. His visit, upon the invitation of PM Modi, follows his first state visit to India in March 2015.
Not quite long back, one of the major concerns in India-Qatar relations was the fate of eight ex-Indian Navy officers who were detained in Doha in August 2022 on charges of espionage. Sentenced to death, diplomatic efforts resulted in the commutation of their sentences, and seven of them were released in February 2024. Although this issue is still sensitive, it demonstrates India’s assertive diplomacy in dealing with Qatar on matters of common interest.
India’s relations with Sheikhdom nations have been enhanced in the last decade by the Modi government. Previously, Qatar has been a strong supporter of Pakistan on the Kashmir issue; the gesture that the PM has shown will definitely help India and may tone down Qatar’s rhetoric on the issue. Building better relations with Qatar will also help India put its voice in the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, an international organization of 57 Islamic Nations.
Indians are the biggest expatriate group in Qatar, with an estimated number of 840,000 Indian citizens living in Qatar. This diaspora is comprised of professionals from various fields like healthcare, engineering, finance, education, and media and contains a considerable blue-collar segment.
Besides this, there are more than 15,000 Indian businesses in Qatar with investments worth around $450 million that help the economy of the Gulf country. PM Modi’s unexpected gesture will have a positive impact on the citizens of Qatar when they will think of India or India. It will not only create a positive perception of India but also help spread a message of goodwill and soft power.
India and Qatar share a robust economic relationship, with bilateral trade amounting to nearly $20 billion. Qatar is a crucial supplier of energy to India, contributing significantly to the country’s energy security. Key trade statistics include:
LNG and LPG Exports: Qatar is India’s largest supplier of Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG), accounting for over 48% of India’s LNG imports in 2022-2023. It is also India’s biggest supplier of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG), fulfilling 29% of the nation’s total LPG imports.
Indian Exports to Qatar: India exports cereals, copper articles, iron and steel products, vegetables, fruits, spices, processed foods, textiles, chemicals, and construction materials to Qatar.
Expanding Trade Basket: Both nations are keen to diversify their trade relations by exploring collaborations in renewable energy, fintech, startups, and emerging technologies.
In addition to trade, India and Qatar have close defence relations. Qatar is a partner in India’s defence training initiative and participates regularly in bilateral maritime security engagement. Indian naval and coast guard ships visit Qatar on a regular basis as part of military and strategic cooperation initiatives.
Besides, India has regularly taken part in Qatar’s Doha International Maritime Defence Exhibition and Conference (DIMDEX) as well, further enhancing defence cooperation. Since India is trying to increase its influence in the Gulf region, Qatar is a central defence partner in the West Asian security framework.
Qatar plays a crucial role in West Asian geopolitics, acting as a mediator in global conflicts. It has facilitated peace talks between Israel and Hamas and remains a key player in diplomatic engagements with the Taliban. As India cautiously navigates its interactions with the Taliban, Qatar serves as an important conduit, relaying critical insights from the Afghan regime to New Delhi.
The Emir of Qatar’s visit to India came at a time when both nations are looking to deepen their strategic and economic cooperation. With strong trade ties, growing defence collaboration, and a vibrant cultural relationship, India and Qatar are poised to further strengthen their partnership in the years to come.
Hence, the exceptional gesture by PM Modi has its meaning in securing India’s Interests. India is successfully navigating international politics with PM Modi’s personal camaradie and unique way of diplomacy with foreign Heads of the states, transcends traditional ones.
