Top Court To Hear Places Of Worship Act Pleas In April

Besides Ways To Enhance Trade And Investment, The Two Sides Will Look At Ways To Enhance Their Strategic Dialogue

- Rezaul H Laskar

NEW DELHI: Trade and energy cooperation will top the agenda for Qatari Amir Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al-Thani's meetings with the Indian leadership on Tuesday, with the visit marking the reset of bilateral ties following strain caused by the incarceration of eight Indian Navy veterans two years ago.

Sheikh Tamim, who is accompanied by a delegation that includes several ministers and business leaders, is set to hold talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday. This is his first visit to India in almost a decade and follows Modi's trip to Doha in February 2024.

Modi personally received Sheikh Tamim on his arrival at Indira Gandhi international airport on Monday evening, reflecting the importance attached by New Delhi to the bilateral relationship. Footage beamed on television showed the two leaders smiling and hugging on the tarmac.

The two sides are expected to finalize a few agreements, including on energy, during Sheikh Tamim's visit, people familiar with the matter said on condition of anonymity on Monday. Qatar is the largest supplier of liquefied natural gas (LNG) to India, accounting for more than 40% of the country's global imports. Two-way trade is worth around $20 billion, with the balance in Qatar's favour.