India keen to invest in energy sector in Qatar: PM Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi today expressed India's keenness to invest in hydrocarbon projects in Qatar during talks with his counterpart Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa Al Thani on key issues of energy, trade and security.
Modi and the Qatari Prime Minister, who is here on his first visit, discussed enhancing cooperation in defence and security, in particular in cyber security and agreed on joint action to tackle money laundering and terrorist financing.
After the talks, the two sides inked five pacts including in the field of visas, cyberspace and investments.
Modi said the visit of the Qatari Prime Minister showed the growing bilateral ties with Qatar, which India has always regarded as a "valued partner".

The two leaders acknowledged that the current level of trade and investment was much below potential, External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Vikas Swarup said, adding Modi highlighted the tremendous opportunities available for Qatari investment in India's infrastructure and energy sectors.
On energy cooperation, Prime Minister Modi said, "We should go beyond the buyer-seller relationship to include Joint Ventures, Joint Research and Development and Joint Exploration.

"Indian companies were ready to invest in both upstream and downstream projects in Qatar in the hydrocarbon sector."
Not only an important trading partner for India in the Gulf region, Qatar is also the largest supplier of LNG to it, accounting for 66 per cent of the total imports in 2015-16.

"He (Modi) outlined the various measures taken by his
government to open up the Indian economy and welcome FDI. The two leaders identified civil aviation as a priority sector for enhancing cooperation," Swarup said.
Prime Minister Modi recalled that India imports eight million tonnes of urea per year and said "we would welcome a long-term arrangement with Qatar for the supply of urea", the spokesperson said.
It was also conveyed that India could also meet Qatari needs in the area of food security, he said.
The two leaders also discussed the regional situation, particularly in Iraq, Syria and Yemen.
Swarup said five agreements were signed in areas such as visa exemption for holders of diplomatic, special and official passports; technical cooperation in cyber space and combating cyber crime, letter of intent regarding negotiations on an agreement on grant of e-visa for businessmen and tourists, and an MoU between the Supreme Committee for Delivery and Legacy of Qatar and CII.

Additionally, another MoU aimed at encouraging greater collaboration and exchange in the field of national ports management was also signed.
Earlier, National Security Advisor Ajit Doval called on the visiting dignitary.
Later, an MEA release said talks between Modi and the
Qatari Prime Minister were held in an atmosphere of utmost cordiality and warmth, reflecting the spirit of mutual trust and cooperation between the two countries.
The two sides resolved to work closely to combat terrorism and radicalisation and noted the importance of consolidating the values of tolerance and preventing the spread of sectarianism.
The leaders discussed cooperation on counter-terrorism, intelligence sharing and countering terror-financing and money laundering, apart from other transnational crimes.

Both sides decided to increase the level of participation in infrastructure development projects on either side and undertook to exchange information on available investment opportunities in a regular and timely manner.
They also agreed to expedite steps to put in place the necessary framework so that economic actors on both sides can take full advantage of the opportunities available, particularly in the area of infrastructure, special economic zones, civil aviation, energy, petrochemicals, health and pharmaceuticals, information technology, education, tourism and agriculture.
The two leaders also emphasised the need to take practical steps to build on the framework provided by the Agreement on Defence Cooperation signed in November 2008 by enhancing cooperation in the fields of specialised training, exchange of information and joint production of defence equipment.

"The visit provided another opportunity for the two sides to exchange views on regional and international issues of mutual interest, with particular reference to the security situation in West Asia, Middle East and South Asia," it added.
The Qatari Prime Minister was accompanied by senior Ministers, including Finance, Transport & Communication and Municipality and Environment. And from business side, CEOs of Qatar Chamber of Commerce and Industry and Qatar Airways as also Deputy CEO of Qatar Investment Authority (QIA) and several key captains of Industry were in his delegation.
During the visit, Prime Minister of Qatar called on President Pranab Mukherjee. Home Minister Rajnath Singh also called on the visiting leader.

Singh offered training of police personnel in Qatar, which is preparing to host FIFA World Cup 2022, and it was accepted in the meeting, an official statement said.