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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 Vipul[1][2]
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,[3] while Qatar maintains an embassy in New Delhi and a consulate in Mumbai.[4]

History

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Diplomatic relations between India and Qatar were established in 1973.[5]

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.[6][7]

In June 2024, Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar visited Doha, underscoring the increasing importance of Middle Eastern relations in India's foreign policy. Jaishankar met with Qatar’s Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani, to review the bilateral ties. While the Ministry of External Affairs' statement was brief, it highlighted historic and friendly relations, covering a range of topics including trade, investment, energy, and security. This visit followed Jaishankar’s trip to the UAE, where India-UAE relations have seen significant growth, evidenced by a trade volume of $83.74 billion in 2023-2024. Qatar and India’s relationship is deepening, particularly with the recent $78 billion LNG deal between QatarEnergy and India’s Petronet, which is set to save India $6 billion. Despite some complexities, India's strategic engagement with Qatar is bolstered by the significant Indian expatriate population in Qatar, forming about 25% of its populace, primarily as migrant workers.[8]

Diplomatic visits

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Emir of Qatar Hamad bin Khalifa al Thani made diplomatic visits to India in April 1999, May 2005 and April 2012.[5]

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.[9][10]

Military relations

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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”.[11] 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.[12] 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.[13]

Za’ir-Al-Bahr

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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.[14][15]

Economic relations

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In 2008, Qatar agreed to invest US$5 billion in India's energy sector.[16] A deep-sea gas pipeline from Qatar to India through Oman has also been proposed.[17]

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$1.4 billion) fee that was owed due to India's non-compliance in importing gas shipments which were previously agreed on in 2015.[18]

Bilateral trade

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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.[19]

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.[20]

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.[21]

Indian diaspora

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Main article: Indians in Qatar

Indian expats are the largest in numbers and make up around 25% of the Qatar population and approx population of Indians in Qatar as of 2023 is around 7.5 Lakh.[22][23]

Conflict

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  • Indian Navy officers espionage in Qatar - In August 2022, eight former Indian naval personnel working for a company called Dahra Global Technologies and Consultancy Services, were arrested in Qatar on suspicion of spying for Israel on Qatar’s military submarine program.[27] In October 2023, the eight former officers were given the death sentence, following which India's Ministry of External Affairs expressed shock.[28] Qatar’s government declined to comment on the sentences.[29][30] According to Hindustan Times, an Indian journalist and their spouse were ordered by Qatari authorities to leave the country for reporting on the case.[31] After the death sentences were dropped in December 2023, the prisoners were released on 12 February 2024. Seven of the eight men returned to India.[32][33]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Ambassador of India". Embassy of India, Doha. Archived from the original on 23 August 2023. Retrieved 23 August 2023.
  2. ^ "Amir receives credentials of five new ambassadors". Gulf Times. Archived from the original on 23 August 2023. Retrieved 23 August 2023.
  3. ^ "Embassy of India in Doha, Qatar". EmbassyPages.com. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 2 January 2016.
  4. ^ "Embassy of Qatar in New Delhi, India". EmbassyPages.com. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 2 January 2016.
  5. ^ a b "India Qatar Bilateral Relations". Embassy of India in Doha, Qatar. Archived from the original on 3 January 2016. Retrieved 2 January 2016.
  6. ^ "India, Qatar ink six agreements during Emir's visit". Zee News. IANS. 25 March 2015. Archived from the original on 15 October 2015. Retrieved 2 January 2016.
  7. ^ "India welcomes Qatar Emir, inks six agreements". Hindustan Times. 26 March 2015. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 2 January 2016.
  8. ^ Abbas, Bashir Ali (7 July 2024). "Eye on the Middle East | Challenges and opportunities in Delhi-Doha ties". Hindustan Times. Retrieved 2024-07-10.
  9. ^ Malik, Surabhi, ed. (5 June 2016). "'India Is A Land Of Opportunity', PM Modi Tells Business Leaders In Qatar". NDTV.com. Archived from the original on 2019-10-12. Retrieved 2016-06-06.
  10. ^ "Prime Minister Modi to visit Qatar in June". The Times of India. PTI. 20 May 2016. Archived from the original on 2017-05-20. Retrieved 2016-05-20.
  11. ^ "Indian PM's Visit to Oman and Qatar | Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses". idsa.in. Archived from the original on 2018-04-02. Retrieved 2018-04-02.
  12. ^ Sandeep Dikshit (11 November 2008). "India signs defence pact". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 28 October 2023. Retrieved 2 January 2015.
  13. ^ Hineidi, Mo (2 October 2013). "Qatar and India Continue To Strengthen Military Ties". Future Directions International. Archived from the original on 24 September 2015. Retrieved 2 January 2016.
  14. ^ "Joint Exercise Between the Qatari Emiri Navy and the Indian Navy Forces (The Roar of the Sea)". India Strategic.[permanent dead link‍]
  15. ^ "Joint Exercise between the Qatari Emiri Navy and the Indian Navy Forces (the Roar of the Sea)". Press Information Bureau. 18 November 2019. Retrieved 3 November 2024.
  16. ^ Dikshit, Sandeep (12 November 2008). "Qatar to invest $5 billion in India". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 18 December 2008. Retrieved 2 January 2016.
  17. ^ Bhardwaj, Priyanka (1 September 2009). "A Qatar-to-India Pipeline?". Energy Tribune. Archived from the original on 26 February 2012.
  18. ^ "Qatar halves gas price, waives India's Rs 12,000cr liability". Times of India. 1 January 2016. Archived from the original on 2 January 2016. Retrieved 2 January 2016.
  19. ^ "Top Qatar Imports 2014". worldsrichestcountries.com. Archived from the original on 11 January 2016. Retrieved 2 January 2016.
  20. ^ "Top Qatar Exports 2014". worldsrichestcountries.com. Archived from the original on 13 April 2016. Retrieved 2 January 2016.
  21. ^ "Grab investment opportunities in India: PM Narendra Modi to Qatari firms". The Economic Times. 5 June 2016. Archived from the original on 2016-06-05. Retrieved 2016-06-06.
  22. ^ "Vice President of India says 7.80 lakh strong Indian community in Qatar is a living bridge". The Times of India. ANI. 2022-11-21. ISSN 0971-8257. Archived from the original on 2023-08-21. Retrieved 2023-08-21.
  23. ^ admin (2021-10-13). "Indian population in Qatar 2023". Find Easy. Archived from the original on 2023-08-21. Retrieved 2023-08-21.
  24. ^ "Qatar summons Indian envoy to protest controversial remarks against Prophet". The Hindustan Times. 5 June 2022. Archived from the original on 7 June 2022. Retrieved 8 June 2022.
  25. ^ "After 'respect all religions' statement, BJP wields axe, expels two key spokespersons". The Indian Express. 6 June 2022. Archived from the original on 7 June 2022. Retrieved 8 June 2022.
  26. ^ "We expect public apology from India: Qatar to Centre over Nupur Sharma's religious remark". The Zee News. 5 June 2022. Archived from the original on 8 June 2022. Retrieved 8 June 2022.
  27. ^ "8 ex-India navy officers accused of spying on Qatar for Israel". Middle East Monitor. 20 April 2023. Archived from the original on 27 October 2023. Retrieved 28 October 2023.
  28. ^ "Qatar court sentences 8 ex-Indian Navy officers to death, MEA says exploring legal options". The Indian Express. 2023-10-26. Archived from the original on 2023-10-26. Retrieved 2023-10-26.
  29. ^ "Indian Employee's Death Sentence in Qatar for Alleged Spying on Submarine". The Washington Post. October 26, 2023. Archived from the original on October 28, 2023. Retrieved October 27, 2023.
  30. ^ Bachner, Michael (26 October 2023). "Qatar sentences 8 Indians to death, reportedly on charges of spying for Israel". The Times of Israel. Archived from the original on 26 October 2023. Retrieved 26 October 2023.
  31. ^ "8 ex-Indian Navy personnel sentenced to death in Qatar; New Delhi says deeply shocked". Hindustan Times. 26 October 2023. Archived from the original on 26 October 2023. Retrieved 26 October 2023.
  32. ^ "Qatar releases former Indian navy officers after dropping death sentences". Al Jazeera. 12 February 2024. Retrieved 2024-02-12.
  33. ^ "Qatar frees eight Indians months after dropping death sentences". Reuters. 12 February 2024. Retrieved 12 February 2024.
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