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About Qatar                                                                              

• It is located on the north-eastern coast of the Arabian Peninsula.
• It is a small peninsular nation. It shares a land border with Saudi Arabia to the south and by Persian Gulf on all other side.
• Gulf region refers to the countries surrounding the Persian Gulf in the middle east. Nations like Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, Oman, and UAE are part of it. It has rich oil reserves which drives their economy.
• Area is of around 11570 square km
• Capital – Doha
• Physiography – largely flat, barren desert. Southern part is composed of Sand dunes. Northern part is rockier, composed of limestone.
• Qatar has wadis which turn into rivers during rainy season.

India-Qatar relations

Economic relation: Largest provider of LPG and LNG to India. Current annual trade is of over 14 billion Dollar.

Defence: Exercise Zair-Al-Bahr – joint naval exercise. Doha international Maritime Defence Exhibition and

Conference.

Both countries are connected through labour and diaspora.

Regional cooperation in the form of gulf cooperation council (GCC). GCC is a political and economic alliance. GCC members are Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Bahrain, and Oman.

Challenges

Hamas–Israel conflict and shipping attacks in the Red Sea affect India’s energy security and economic growth.

The conflict has delayed a senior-officials meeting for the I2U2 group since 2023.

Delays in finalizing the India–GCC Free Trade Agreement (FTA) due to changes in the GCC’s trade negotiator.         

HINDUSTAN TIMES