The Ambassador of the Republic of India to the State of Qatar, HE Vipul, emphasized Qatar’s recent accession to the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) as a Dialogue Partner. He expressed optimism that Qatar will play a significant role in advancing the organization’s objectives. India, which held the presidency of the SCO last year, promoted the theme of SCO-SECURE, emphasizing Security, Economic development, Connectivity, Unity, Respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity, and Environmental protection. HE Vipul highlighted the importance of dialogue and diplomacy in enhancing international peace and security, praising Qatar’s active regional and international diplomacy.
India and Qatar share close and longstanding relations based on historic and people-to-people ties. HE Vipul mentioned the visit of the Indian Minister of External Affairs to Qatar, where discussions were held on various bilateral and international issues of mutual interest. India is one of the top three import-export partners of Qatar, with significant investments on both sides. Qatar plays a crucial role in India’s energy security, with a large portion of LNG imports coming from Qatar. The Indian diaspora in Qatar also receives support from the Qatari leadership, demonstrating the strong bond between the two countries.
Looking ahead, the Ambassador emphasized the importance of further enhancing cooperation between India and Qatar in areas such as economy, trade, and investment. Both countries are committed to expanding their relationship in sectors like renewable energy, sustainability, startups, fintech, AI, and innovation. With India’s robust economic growth and measures to facilitate business, there are ample opportunities for investment. Qatar’s strengths in gas production, finance, innovation, and sustainability complement India’s strengths, creating a mutually beneficial partnership.
HE Vipul pointed out that the average annual trade exchange between India and Qatar over the past three years has been around USD 16 billion. While a significant portion of this trade consists of Qatar’s energy exports to India, there is also a diverse range of items exported from India to Qatar, including food products, engineering goods, iron and steel, gems, and jewelry. The Ambassador expressed optimism that trade between the two countries could become even more diversified and robust in the future. Both countries are working towards leveraging their respective strengths for mutual benefit and greater economic cooperation.
In conclusion, the Ambassador highlighted the strong ties between India and Qatar, emphasizing the shared values and goals that underpin their relationship. The recent developments, such as Qatar’s accession to the SCO and the visit of high-level officials from both countries, demonstrate the commitment to further strengthening bilateral cooperation. With a focus on expanding cooperation in new areas and building on existing strengths, India and Qatar are poised to enhance their partnership in the years to come. The potential for increased trade, investment, and collaboration bodes well for the future of India-Qatar relations.
