India and Qatar have elevated their long-standing ties to a strategic partnership, signing an agreement to boost trade, energy, security, and cultural cooperation. With Qatar pledging a $10 billion investment and targeting double trade by 2030, both nations reinforced collaboration on counter-terrorism and multilateral diplomacy, promising regional prosperity and stability.
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India and Qatar Elevate Ties to Strategic Partnership, Discuss Regional Issues.
Diplomatic relations between India and Qatar were established in 1973.
The partnership is rooted in historical ties, high-level engagement, and the contributions of the 7.5 lakh Indian nationals residing in Qatar (25% of Qatar’s population).
Bilateral trade in 2022–23: $18.77 billion (India’s exports: $1.96 billion; imports: $16.8 billion).
Qatar ranks among India’s top three export destinations (alongside China and Japan) and top import sources (with China and the US).
Qatar is India’s largest LNG supplier (10.74 MMT worth $8.32 billion in FY 2022–23), accounting for 48% of India’s global LNG imports.
Qatar supplies 29% of India’s LPG imports (5.33 MMT worth $4.04 billion in FY 2022–23) .
On February 18, 2025, India and Qatar signed a Strategic Partnership Agreement to deepen cooperation in trade, energy, investment, security, and cultural exchanges.
This marks Qatar as the fifth Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) member state to establish a strategic partnership with India, following Kuwait, Oman, the UAE, and Saudi Arabia.
Economic and Trade Cooperation
Both nations set a target to double trade from $14 billion (2023–24) to $28 billion by 2030. They elevated the Joint Working Group on Trade to a Joint Commission, co-chaired by commerce ministers.
Qatar pledged to invest $10 billion in India’s infrastructure, technology, manufacturing, logistics, and hospitality sectors. The Qatar Investment Authority (QIA) will open an office in India to facilitate this.
A revised Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement (DTAA) was signed. Qatar National Bank (QNB) operationalized India’s UPI payment system in Qatar and plans to expand to GIFT City, Gujarat.
Energy, Security, and Health Cooperation
Both sides agreed to enhance energy cooperation through trade and mutual investments, building on Qatar’s status as India’s largest LNG supplier.
Leaders condemned terrorism and agreed to strengthen intelligence sharing, cybersecurity, and anti-money laundering efforts. They emphasized regular meetings of the Joint Committee on Security and Law Enforcement.
India proposed increasing pharmaceutical exports to Qatar. Both nations committed to facilitating company registrations and drug approvals.
Cultural, Educational, and Technological Ties
They agreed to celebrate the India-Qatar Year of Culture, Friendship, and Sports. They will collaborate in sports exchanges, workshops, and cultural events.
Both sides emphasized academic exchanges, joint research, and university partnerships to strengthen educational ties.
They agreed to deepen collaboration in AI, startups, and e-Governance. Indian startups will participate in Doha’s Web Summits 2025.
Labor and People-to-People Links
Both sides agreed to hold regular Joint Working Group meetings on labor and employment to address expatriate welfare.
Regional and Global Cooperation
Both discussed the Israel-Palestine conflict, stressing the need for dialogue and diplomacy. India reiterated its support for a two-state solution.
Both nations stressed the need for UN Security Council reforms and pledged to support each other’s candidatures in multilateral forums.
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PRACTICE QUESTION Q. How has the Indian diaspora in Qatar contributed to the socio-economic development of both countries? Discuss its impact on bilateral relations. 150 words |
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