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In February 2025, His Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani, Amir of Qatar, paid a State Visit to India, during which India and Qatar elevated their bilateral relations to a Strategic Partnership.

Major Outcomes of the 2025 Summit

• Strategic Partnership Agreement:Formalized multifaceted cooperation across sectors—trade, investment, energy, security, technology, and people-to-people ties.
• Trade and Economic Engagement:
  • Target set to double bilateral trade to $30 billion by 2030 (from $14 billion in FY 2023–24).
  • Joint Commission on Trade and Commerce established to monitor economic ties.
  • Qatar Investment Authority (QIA) pledged $10 billion in Indian infrastructure, green energy, and startups.
  • Revised Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement signed.
• Energy Cooperation:
  • A landmark 20-year LNG supply deal (2028–2048) between QatarEnergy and Petronet LNG.
  • Collaboration in renewable energy including green hydrogen, solar energy, and AI-based efficiency solutions.
• Investment and Digital Integration:
  • QIA to open an office in India; Qatar National Bank to set up presence in GIFT City.
  • India’s UPI system operationalized in Qatar's POS infrastructure; nationwide rollout planned.
• Technology and Innovation:
  • Cooperation in AI, semiconductors, IoT, robotics and digital governance.
  • Indian startups to participate in Web Summits in Doha (2024–25).

People-to-People and Cultural Ties

• Over 830,000 Indians reside in Qatar, forming the largest expatriate community.
• MoUs signed on youth, sports, education, archives, and cultural cooperation.
• Agreement to celebrate India-Qatar Year of Culture, Friendship and Sports.

Security and Counter-Terrorism

• Strong condemnation of terrorism in all forms, including cross-border terrorism.
• Commitment to enhanced cooperation in intelligence sharing, cybercrime, anti-money laundering, and countering transnational crimes.
• Emphasis on regular meetings of the Joint Committee on Security and Law Enforcement.

Labour and Health Cooperation

• Agreement to hold regular Joint Working Group on Labour and Employment to address expatriate welfare and mobility.
• Collaboration in the health sector, including pharma exports, device registration, and pandemic response mechanisms.

Geopolitical and Multilateral Cooperation

• Exchange of views on Middle East stability, UN reforms, and India-GCC engagement.
• Appreciation for Qatar’s Chairmanship of the India-GCC Strategic Dialogue (Sept 2024).
• Agreement on UN Security Council reform and advancing SDG goals through multilateralism.

Challenges Ahead

• Trade Imbalance: Imports of LNG/LPG ($12B) far exceed exports (<$2B).
• Labour Rights Concerns: Working conditions of Indian laborers in Qatar remain under scrutiny.
• Legal and Judicial Issues: Over 600 Indians in Qatari jails; need for agreement on transfer of sentenced persons.
• Geopolitical Complexities: Qatar’s involvement in West Asian diplomacy presents nuanced challenges.
• Naval Veterans Case: Pending resolution affects diplomatic sentiment.

Way Forward

• Boost Indian exports in pharmaceuticals, IT, engineering goods.
• Expedite India-Qatar Bilateral Investment Treaty (BIT) to streamline FDI.
• Expand collaboration in green hydrogen, carbon capture, and energy diversification.
• Strengthen ministerial-level engagements, labor welfare frameworks, and regional security dialogue.