External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar is set to embark on a significant diplomatic visit to Qatar today, aimed at bolstering bilateral relations across various sectors. This visit marks the second by a senior Indian leader since the resolution of a diplomatic issue last year involving former Indian Navy personnel detained in Qatar.
During his official visit, Jaishankar will hold crucial meetings with Qatar’s Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani. The discussions are expected to encompass a wide range of topics, including political cooperation, trade, investment, energy collaboration, security, cultural exchanges, and people-to-people contacts, as highlighted by the External Affairs Ministry.
Key topics on the agenda include regional and international issues, with particular attention to the fallout from the Israel-Hamas conflict. The welfare of the significant Indian expatriate community in Qatar, totaling around 800,000 individuals, will also be a focal point.
India and Qatar share a longstanding relationship underscored by regular high-level visits. Earlier this year, Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Qatar, where he expressed gratitude to Qatar’s leadership for their role in resolving the issue involving the detained Indian personnel.
The former naval personnel, employed by Dahra Global, were detained in 2022 and sentenced to death in 2023 on undisclosed charges, which were later commuted to varying prison terms following an appeal. While seven have returned to India, one remains in Qatar pending final procedures for his return.
Qatar has emerged as a vital economic partner for India, with bilateral trade currently valued at $20 billion annually, alongside substantial remittances from the Indian community.
Sources By Agencies