India, Qatar to double trade in 5 yrs as strategic partners

Nations keen to double bilateral trade to $30 bn by 2030, enhance trade, energy cooperation

- Rezaul H Laskar

India and Qatar on Tuesday elevated their ties to a strategic partnership and agreed to double bilateral trade to almost $30 billion by 2030 as Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Qatari Amir, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, focused on ways to enhance trade and energy cooperation.

The two leaders met to discuss bilateral relations and regional issues, including the Israel-Hamas conflict, shortly after President Droupadi Murmu accorded Sheikh Tamim a ceremonial welcome at Rashtrapati Bhavan. Modi personally received the Amir on his arrival in New Delhi on Monday, signaling the importance India attaches to the bilateral relationship.

Modi said on X that he had a "very productive meeting with my brother", Sheikh Tamim, who is "committed to a strong India-Qatar friendship".

He added, "Trade featured prominently in our talks. We want to increase and diversify India-Qatar trade linkages."

The two sides can work closely in energy, technology, healthcare, food processing, pharmaceuticals and green hydrogen, he said.