External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar met Qatar’s Amir, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, in Doha on Sunday to advance the growing partnership between India and Qatar. The meeting comes amid a series of high-level diplomatic engagements, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent phone call with the Qatari leader and Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal’s visit to Doha. These interactions signal a renewed push toward strengthening cooperation across economic, strategic, and technological sectors.
Sharing the update on X, Jaishankar wrote that he was “honored” to call on the Amir and conveyed Prime Minister Modi’s warm greetings. He reaffirmed India’s commitment to expanding its long-standing relationship with Qatar and expressed appreciation for the Amir’s vision in shaping new areas of collaboration. The minister emphasized that both nations are exploring broader opportunities that align with shared economic and geopolitical interests.
Jaishankar’s meeting builds on Piyush Goyal’s visit to Qatar in October, during which he engaged with Qatar Development Bank CEO Abdulrahman Hesham Al-Sowaidi and welcomed increased Qatari interest in investing in India. Goyal also co-chaired the India-Qatar Joint Commission meeting on Economic and Commercial Cooperation with Qatar’s Minister of Commerce and Industry, Sheikh Faisal bin Thani bin Faisal Al Thani. During this visit, Goyal introduced India’s UPI payment system at Lulu Hypermarket in Doha—a major step toward seamless cross-border transactions and part of India’s broader effort to globalize its digital payment ecosystem.
The diplomatic momentum intensified in September when Prime Minister Modi and the Qatari Amir engaged in a phone conversation reaffirming the strength of the India-Qatar strategic partnership. Both leaders expressed satisfaction with the progress made in trade, investment initiatives, and security cooperation. They also reviewed ongoing regional developments.
During the call, PM Modi voiced serious concern over Israeli strikes in Doha reportedly targeting Hamas leaders, calling the action a breach of Qatar’s sovereignty. He acknowledged Qatar’s active role in mediating during the Gaza conflict, including efforts toward ceasefire negotiations and securing hostage releases. The Amir expressed gratitude for India’s consistent support and valued India’s stance in promoting stability and peace in the region.
The latest visit by Jaishankar underscores India’s intention to deepen engagement with Qatar on multiple fronts, reinforcing a partnership built on economic convergence, strategic alignment, and shared regional priorities.
