India–Qatar relations

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India–Qatar relations
Map indicating locations of Qatar and India

Qatar

India
Diplomatic mission
Embassy of Qatar, New Delhi, IndiaEmbassy of India, Doha, Qatar
Envoy
Qatari Ambassador to India Mohammed bin Khater Al KhaterIndian Ambassador to Qatar Dr. Deepak Mittal
Prime Minister Narendra Modi with Emir Tamim Bin Hamad Al Thani in Doha, June 2016.

India–Qatar relations refers to the bilateral ties between India and Qatar. India maintains an embassy in Doha,[1] while Qatar maintains an embassy in New Delhi and a consulate in Mumbai.[2]

History[edit]

Diplomatic relations between India and Qatar were established in 1973.[3]

During a visit made by Emir Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani in March 2015, five MoUs entailing co-operation in several fields were signed. Additionally, an agreement on prisoner repatriation was made. According to this agreement, citizens of India or Qatar who are convicted and sentenced for a crime can be extradited to their native country to spend the remaining years of their prison sentence.[4][5]

Diplomatic visits[edit]

Emir of Qatar Hamad bin Khalifa al Thani made diplomatic visits to India in April 1999, May 2005 and April 2012.[3]

On 4 June 2016 Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Doha on a two-day visit which was focused on giving a new push to the economic ties, particularly in the hydrocarbon sector. During the visit he shared a meal with Indian workers living in Qatar and also addressed the NRIs at a gala event.[6][7]

Military relations[edit]

During the first-ever diplomatic visit to Qatar made by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh of India in November 2008, a maritime defence agreement was approved between the two countries. The agreement was described by Indian government officials as a 'landmark' that would permit mutual maritime defence training and facilitate mutual visits. Indian officials have described the agreement as “just short of stationing troops”.[8] An agreement pertaining to law enforcement and national security was also signed during the meeting. This agreement was made with the intent of exchanging classified information in order to assist in suppressing threats raised by extremist elements.[9] As part of these agreements, the inaugural India-Qatar Joint Committee on Defence Cooperation meeting was hosted in the Qatari capital Doha in 2008. This was followed by a second meeting in New Delhi in 2011 and a third meeting in Doha in 2013.[10]

Za’ir-Al-Bahr[edit]

Za’ir-Al-Bahr (Roar of the Sea) is a joint exercise between the Qatari Emiri Navy and the Indian Navy. Its inaugural edition was conducted during 17–21 November 2019 at Doha. This inaugural edition of the Bilateral Maritime Exercise between the two navies would further strengthen the robust defence co-operation between the two countries, especially in the fight against terrorism, maritime piracy and maritime security.[11]

Economic relations[edit]

In 2008, Qatar agreed to invest US$5 billion in India's energy sector.[12] A deep-sea gas pipeline from Qatar to India through Oman has also been proposed.[13]

In January 2016, Qatar agreed to decrease the selling price of gas to India from $12–13 per unit to $6–7 per unit. This deal came as a result of the global reduction in gas prices and the surplus in gas supply worldwide. In addition to reducing the price, Qatar also agreed to exempt India of the 12,000 crore (US$1.7 billion) fee that was owed due to India's non-compliance in importing gas shipments which were previously agreed on in 2015.[14]

Bilateral trade[edit]

India amounted to $1.2 billion, or 3.8% of its overall exports in 2014. At a value of $215.3 million, cereals were India's top exported commodity to Qatar. Machinery came second at $108.6 million. The export value for electronic equipment was $93.2 million, making it the third most significant Indian export to Qatar.[15]

Qatari exports to India totaled $16.8 billion, or 12.7% of its overall exports in 2014. The highest valued export commodity is oil, of which $14.9 billion worth has been exported from Qatar to India. Vying for second place is plastics; a recorded $700.8 million worth has been exported to India. The third highest valued Qatari export to India is organic chemicals, accounting for a total of $554 million.[16]

During his June 2016 visit to Qatar, PM Narendra Modi urged Qatari business leaders to invest in India and take advantage of India's investment-friendly policies. He assuaged the concerns of Qatari businessmen and assured them that economic bottlenecks will be resolved in the months ahead.[17]

Indian diaspora[edit]

The Indian population in Qatar currently stands at around 700,000.[18]

Conflict[edit]

Qatar summoned Indian Ambassador to protest controversial remarks of BJP Spokesperson Nupur Sharma & Naveen Jindal on Prophet Muhammad.[19] Then BJP suspended Nupur Sharma and expelled Naveen Jindal.[20] Qatar was demanding public apology from India for this.[21] Indians trend #BoycottQatarAirways in Twitter India.[22]

References[edit]

  1. "Embassy of India in Doha, Qatar". EmbassyPages.com. Retrieved 2 January 2016.
  2. "Embassy of Qatar in New Delhi, India". EmbassyPages.com. Retrieved 2 January 2016.
  3. 3.0 3.1 "India Qatar Bilateral Relations". Embassy of India in Doha, Qatar. Archived from the original on 3 January 2016. Retrieved 2 January 2016.
  4. "India, Qatar ink six agreements during Emir's visit". Zee News. 25 March 2015. Retrieved 2 January 2016.
  5. "India welcomes Qatar Emir, inks six agreements". Hindustan Times. 26 March 2015. Retrieved 2 January 2016.
  6. "'India Is A Land Of Opportunity', PM Modi Tells Business Leaders In Qatar". NDTV.com. Retrieved 2016-06-06.
  7. "Prime Minister Modi to visit Qatar in June". The Times of India. Retrieved 2016-05-20.
  8. "Indian PM's Visit to Oman and Qatar | Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses". idsa.in. Retrieved 2018-04-02.
  9. Sandeep Dikshit (11 November 2008). "India signs defence pact". The Hindu. Retrieved 2 January 2015.
  10. "Qatar and India Continue To Strengthen Military Ties". Future Directions International. 2 October 2013. Retrieved 2 January 2016.
  11. "Joint Exercise Between the Qatari Emiri Navy and the Indian Navy Forces (The Roar of the Sea)". India Strategic.
  12. Sandeep Dikshit (12 November 2008). "Qatar to invest $5 billion in India". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 18 December 2008. Retrieved 2 January 2016.
  13. Bhardwaj, Priyanka. "A Qatar-to-India Pipeline?". Energy Tribune. Archived from the original on 26 February 2012.
  14. "Qatar halves gas price, waives India's Rs 12,000cr liability". Times of India. 1 January 2016. Retrieved 2 January 2016.
  15. "Top Qatar Imports 2014". worldsrichestcountries.com. Retrieved 2 January 2016.
  16. "Top Qatar Exports 2014". worldsrichestcountries.com. Retrieved 2 January 2016.
  17. "Grab investment opportunities in India: PM Narendra Modi to Qatari firms - The Economic Times". The Economic Times. 5 June 2016. Retrieved 2016-06-06.
  18. Jure Snoj (15 August 2019). "Population of Qatar by nationality - 2019 report". Priya Dsouza Communications. Retrieved 17 September 2019.
  19. "Qatar summons Indian envoy to protest controversial remarks against Prophet". The Hindustan Times. 5 June 2022. Retrieved 8 June 2022.
  20. "After 'respect all religions' statement, BJP wields axe, expels two key spokespersons". The Indian Express. 6 June 2022. Retrieved 8 June 2022.
  21. "We expect public apology from India: Qatar to Centre over Nupur Sharma's religious remark". The Zee News. 5 June 2022. Retrieved 8 June 2022.
  22. "Boycott Qatar Airways trends on Twitter after Nupur Sharma's remarks". The Zee News. 5 June 2022. Retrieved 8 June 2022.


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