ASIA

India, Qatar strengthen strategic ties

By Dr. Ankit Srivastava·Mar 5, 2025·New Delhi Times

The recent visit of the Amir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani to India on February 17-18, 2025 has resulted in a significant elevation of the ties between Qatar and India. One of the significant outcomes of the visit was the signing of an agreement that elevated the India-Qatar relations to a bilateral strategic partnership.

India recognises Qatar as an important strategic partnership in pursuit of its engagement in West Asia region. The significance India accords to Qatar can be gauged from the fact that on February 17, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi himself went to the airport to welcome the Amir of Qatar and described the Amir as his brother.

The next day, the Amir of Qatar met Indian President Draupadi Murmu and PM Modi at the Rashtrapati Bhawan. Welcoming the Amir of Qatar, Indian President Draupadi Murmu said that India’ relations with Qatar are steeped in history and that Qatar has been an integral part of West Asia’s linkages of commerce and culture with India.

This is an excerpt. The full column was originally published in New Delhi Times.

CONTINUE READING ON NEW DELHI TIMES →