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Joint ventures in energy infrastructure, technology collaboration, and cross-border investments can help reduce India's trade deficit with Qatar, think tank GTRI said on Sunday. India's trade with Qatar stood at USD 14.15 billion in 2024-25. The trade relationship remains heavily skewed toward energy imports, with petroleum crude and gas products making up nearly 90 per cent of India's total imports from Qatar, the Global Trade Research Initiative (GTRI) said. India's exports to Qatar totalled USD 1.68 billion, while imports surged to USD 12.46 billion, producing a substantial trade deficit of USD 10.78 billion in the last fiscal. "The figures underscore the energy-centric nature of India's commerce with the Gulf nation, with hydrocarbons making up the bulk of inbound shipments," GTRI founder Ajay Srivastava said. Imports from Qatar were overwhelmingly composed of petroleum crude and gas products, amounting to USD 11.08 billion, about 88.9 per cent of the total imports. Key energ
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Thursday met Minister of State for Foreign Trade Affairs of Qatar Ahmed bin Mohammed Al-Sayed and discussed bilateral trade and investment, among others. During the discussion, Sitharaman highlighted the transformative steps taken by India to attract foreign investments in the last decade. "Both the Ministers reiterated the commitment to enhance bilateral trade and investment relations under the 'strategic partnership' between India and Qatar," the finance ministry said in a post on X. The Qatari delegation conveyed that they see good opportunities for investments in India, given India's economic growth and technological development. Separately, Minister of State for Finance Pankaj Chaudhary participated in a bilateral meeting with Ahmad bin Mohammed Al-Sayed, Minister of State for Foreign Trade of the State of Qatar, and his accompanying delegation. "This historic bilateral engagement witnessed in-depth discussions aimed at opening new avenu
External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar spoke to the Prime Minister of Qatar, Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, on Thursday and discussed the bilateral agenda between the two nations.EAM Jaishankar, in a telephonic conversation with Prime Minister Al Thani, appreciated his assessment of the regional situation.EAM wrote on X, "A warm call with PM & FM @MBA_AlThani_ of Qatar. Appreciated his assessment of the regional situation. Discussed our bilateral agenda."Qatar's Prime Minister, Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, played a key role in securing Iran's approval for the US-proposed ceasefire in the conflict with Israel, with Al Thani obtaining Tehran's agreement during a phone call with Iranian officials, as reported by Reuters, quoting an official briefed on the negotiation.Al Thani's conversation followed Trump's communication with Qatar's Emir, in which the US President informed him that Israel had accepted the ceasefire proposal and requested Doha's assistance in ...
An all-party parliamentary delegation on Monday met Qatar's MoS for Foreign Affairs Mohamed bin Abdulaziz bin Saleh Al Khulaifi and conveyed India's perspectives on the Pahalgam terrorist attack, Operation Sindoor and the country's national consensus for zero-tolerance against terrorism. The all-party delegation led by NCP-SP leader Supriya Sule arrived in Qatar late Saturday as part of the government's outreach to the international community on the fight against terror and the significance of Operation Sindoor. "Today morning the multi-party delegation met HE Dr. Mohamed bin Abdulaziz bin Saleh Al Khulaifi, MoS for Foreign Affairs and conveyed India's perspectives on the Pahalgam terrorist attack, Operation Sindoor and India's national consensus for zero-tolerance against terrorism," the Indian Embassy in Qatar posted on X. "MoS Dr Al Khulaifi conveyed Qatar's solidarity with India and policy of zero tolerance against terrorism for regional stability and prosperity," it said in ...
Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) plans to import ethane starting in mid-2028 to compensate for the altered composition of liquefied natural gas (LNG) sourced from Qatar, according to a tender floated by the state-owned firm. India imports 7.5 million tonnes per annum of LNG from Qatar. Under the deal, QatarEnergy supplies 5 million tonnes a year of LNG that contains methane (used to produce electricity, make fertiliser, converted into CNG or used as cooking fuel) as well as ethane and propane -- feedstock to make LPG and petrochemicals -- on a firm basis and the rest on best endeavour basis. This contract is coming to an end in 2028 and the revised contract signed last year envisages QatarEnergy supplying 'lean' gas (one that is stripped of ethane and propane). ONGC spent about Rs 1,500 crore in setting up a C2 (ethane) and C3 (propane) extraction plant at Dahej in Gujarat. The C2/C3 so extracted was used as a feedstock in its petrochemical subsidiary, ONGC Petro additions Ltd
India and Qatar have signed an agreement to promote and develop mutual collaboration in public-private partnership framework and investment, use of financing tools, as well as economic policies, the finance ministry said on Tuesday. The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on financial and economic cooperation was signed between the two countries on February 18 during the visit of Amir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al-Thani to India. "The MoU aims to promote and develop mutual collaboration in the areas of economic policies, use of financing tools, public-private partnership framework and investment. The MoU is expected to explore new and emerging sectors and avenues for investments in both countries," the ministry said in a statement. The ministries of finance of both countries shall promote models and areas of joint collaboration between them, such as organising expert workshops, seminars and conferences; exchanging documentary and technical information in areas of joint work and .
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Amir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al-Thani on Tuesday unequivocally condemned terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, including cross-border terrorism, as the two leaders agreed to cooperate in combatting the menace through bilateral and multilateral mechanisms. In a joint statement issued hours after the two leaders held talks here, India and Qatar emphasised the "importance of dialogue, diplomacy for a peaceful resolution of international disputes". The Amir's two-day state visit "reaffirmed the strong bonds of friendship and cooperation between India and Qatar. The leaders expressed optimism that this renewed partnership would continue to grow, benefitting the people of both countries and contributing to regional and global stability". "The two leaders unequivocally condemned terrorism in all its forms and manifestations including cross-border terrorism and agreed to cooperate in combatting this menace through bilateral and multilateral
India and Qatar on Tuesday exchanged an agreement on establishment of strategic partnership between the two countries. The documents were exchanged in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Amir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al-Thani here. The Amir of Qatar arrived here on Monday evening on a two-day state visit. The MEA earlier said his visit will provide "further momentum to our growing multifaceted partnership". Prime Minister Modi and the Amir of Qatar also held talks at the Hyderabad House covering a range of bilateral issues. Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Qatar, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani and External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar exchanged the agreement. A revised agreement for avoidance of double taxation and prevention of fiscal evasion with respect to taxes on income, between India and Qatar, was also exchanged, it was announced during the ceremony held at the Hyderabad House. Prime Minister of Qatar and Finance
Qatar on Tuesday said it is ready to take steps to speed up the negotiations for a new bilateral investment promotion and protection agreement with India. Qatar's Commerce and Industry Minister Sheikh Faisal bin Thani bin Faisal Al Thani said India has become its third largest trading partner. He added that businesses in both countries need to push the boundaries for further strengthening investment and industrial collaboration. "We have modernised our investment ecosystem...we invite Indian investors and entrepreneurs to explore the true potential of Qatar's economy...We are ready to take steps to fast track negotiations for a new bilateral investment promotion and protection agreement," Faisal Al Thani said at CII's India-Qatar Business Forum meet. Qatar's ministry is here with a business delegation. They are accompanying Amir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al-Thani, who arrived here yesterday on a two-day visit. India received USD 1.5 billion of foreign direct investments from
Amir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al-Thani, who arrived here on Monday on a two-day state visit to India, will meet President Droupadi Murmu and hold talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on February 18. Extending a rare gesture of hospitality, Modi went to the airport to receive the Amir of Qatar, who arrived in Delhi in the evening. "Went to the airport to welcome my brother, Amir of Qatar H H Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al Thani. Wishing him a fruitful stay in India and looking forward to our meeting tomorrow," the prime minister said in a post on X. The Amir of Qatar's visit will provide "further momentum to our growing multifaceted partnership", the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said in a statement on Saturday. The Amir of Qatar will be accompanied by a high-level delegation, including ministers, senior officials and business leaders, it said. According to a media advisory issued by the MEA on Monday, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar will call on the Amir of Qatar
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar called on Amir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al-Thani, hours after his arrival in Delhi, and said he is confident that the visiting leader's talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday will "deepen our close bonds of friendship". Extending a rare gesture of hospitality, Modi went to the airport to receive the Amir of Qatar, who arrived in Delhi on Monday evening. Later in the evening, Jaishankar called on the Amir of Qatar, who is on a two-day state visit to India. "Honoured to call on H H @TamimBinHamad, Amir of Qatar on his arrival in New Delhi for a State Visit. Value his guidance on advancing our cooperation in many domains. Confident that his talks with PM @narendramodi tomorrow will deepen our close bonds of friendship," Jaishankar said in a post on X. The Union minister also shared some photographs of his meeting with the Amir of Qatar on the microblogging platform. The Amir of Qatar will call on President Droupadi Murmu and h
Extending a rare gesture of hospitality, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday went to the airport to receive Amir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al-Thani, who arrived here on a two-day a visit to India on Monday evening. The Amir is scheduled to meet President Droupadi Murmu and hold talks with Modi on Tuesday. His visit comes at the invitation of Prime Minister Modi. This would be the second state visit of the Amir of Qatar to India. He earlier visited India in March 2015, the MEA earlier said. India and Qatar have deep-rooted historical ties of friendship, trust and mutual respect. In recent years, the ties between the two countries, including in the areas of trade, investment, energy, technology, culture and people-to-people ties, have continued to strengthen.
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar Wednesday met with Qatari Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani and held a productive review of bilateral cooperation and also discussed recent regional and global developments. It was this year's first diplomatic engagement of Jaishankar, who arrived here on December 30 on a three-day visit. "Delighted to meet PM and FM @MBA_AlThani_ in Doha today. My first diplomatic engagement in 2025. A productive review of our bilateral cooperation. Also a wide-ranging discussion on recent regional and global developments," Jaishankar said in a post on X. His visit will enable both sides to review various aspects of bilateral relations, including political, trade, investment, energy, security, cultural and people-to-people, as well as the regional and international issues of mutual interest, the Ministry of External Affairs said in a press release earlier.
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Saturday met Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani here and held "productive" talks on bilateral relations and developments in Gaza and Syria. Jaishankar is visiting Doha to participate in the Doha Forum at the invitation of Al Thani, who is also the Minister of Foreign Affairs. "Delighted to meet PM & FM @MBA_AlThani_ of Qatar today in Doha," Jaishankar said in a post on X. "A productive discussion on our bilateral relations and ongoing efforts to further strengthen them. Exchanged views on the developments in Gaza, Syria and the region," he said. The minister also held a meeting with the World Economic Forum President Borge Brende on the sidelines of the Doha Forum. "A good conversation with @borgebrende of @wef in Doha today. Discussed the global economic and political scenario," he said on X. Jaishankar also held a bilateral meeting with his Cyprus counterpart Constantinos Kombos. "Glad to meet FM @ckombos o