India invites Qatar to participate in mega transport projects

India has invited energy-rich Qatar to participate in mega transport projects like Delhi- Mumbai industrial corridor and conveyed the interest of Indian companies in involving in projects undertaken by the Gulf nation as part of its preparation for the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
Both the countries today came out with a joint statement outlining broad counters of future engagement, a day after Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Emir of Qatar Tamim Bin Hamad Al Thani held extensive talks covering an entire gamut of bilateral relationship.
It said both sides condemned terrorism in its all forms and manifestations while agreeing to strengthen cooperation in combating the menace at both the bilateral level and within the multilateral system of the UN.

"The two sides stressed the need for closer cooperation in the area of security and counter-terrorism through regular dialogue, sharing of information, intelligence and assessments and training of personnel," it said.
Seeking enhancement in economic ties, the Indian side invited Qatar to participate in projects creating mega industrial manufacturing corridors, including the Delhi-Mumbai industrial corridor.
"It conveyed the interest of the Indian companies to be a partner in the infrastructure development projects undertaken by Qatar in preparation for the FIFA 2022 World Cup and the development plans under vision '2030 for Qatar'," the joint statement said.

Qatar is an important country for India in the Gulf region. It supplies 86 per cent of India's Liquified Natural Gas (LNG). The bilateral annual trade is around USD 16 billion.

The two sides exchanged views on regional and international issues of mutual interest, including the security situation in West Asia, Middle East and South Asia.
According to the joint statement the two sides discussed ways and means to build a forward-looking partnership by further broadening and deepening engagement and by better leveraging the existing complementaries between the two countries in key areas of energy, power and petrochemicals.
It was decided that next such consultations would be held in Qatar in the first half of 2016 and dates will be decided through diplomatic channels.
The Emir also appreciated the role and contribution of the Indian community towards the development of Qatar.

Thani extended invitations to President Pranab Mukherjee and Modi to visit Qatar at a mutually convenient time which were gladly accepted, said the statement.