PM Narendra Modi’s Special Gesture: Personally Welcomes Emir of Qatar at Delhi Airport
New Delhi, 18th February 2025: What is it like to be welcomed at the airport by Prime Minister Narendra Modi? The Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al-Thani, experienced this firsthand on Monday, February 17, as he arrived in India for a two-day state visit. During his stay, he is set to meet President Droupadi Murmu and engage in discussions with PM Modi.
Breaking from standard protocol, PM Modi personally greeted the Qatari leader upon his arrival in New Delhi. This marks the Emir’s second visit to India, his first being in March 2015.
Upon landing, Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al-Thani received a grand welcome, with PM Modi himself present at the airport to greet him. Posting on X, Modi wrote, “Went to the airport to welcome my brother, Emir of Qatar H H Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al Thani. Wishing him a fruitful stay in India and looking forward to our meeting tomorrow.” A cultural performance was also organized in his honour.
External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar was among those welcoming Al-Thani. Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal described the occasion as “a special gesture for a special friend.”
The Emir’s visit centres on discussions covering trade, investment, energy, and technology. Upon arrival, he held talks with Jaishankar, who later posted on X: “Honored to call on H H @TamimBinHamad, Emir of Qatar, on his arrival in New Delhi for a state visit. Value his guidance in advancing our cooperation in many domains. Confident that his talks with PM @narendramodi tomorrow will deepen our close bonds of friendship.”
On February 18, the Qatari leader will be given a ceremonial welcome at Rashtrapati Bhavan, followed by a meeting with PM Modi at Hyderabad House. The two leaders will engage in high-level discussions covering various aspects of the bilateral relationship. An exchange of Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) is also scheduled before Al-Thani meets President Murmu.
Al-Thani’s visit holds strategic importance as India seeks to bolster its engagement with West Asia while ensuring energy security. Trade between the two nations has grown significantly, now valued at approximately $20 billion.
Key Exports from Qatar to India:
– Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) and Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG)
– Chemicals and petrochemicals
– Plastics and aluminium
Qatar remains India’s largest LNG supplier, providing 48% of its total LNG imports in 2022-23. Similarly, it is India’s top LPG supplier, covering 29% of imports.
India’s Key Exports to Qatar:
– Cereals, fruits, vegetables, and spices
– Processed food products
– Copper, iron, steel, and construction materials
– Textiles, garments, and chemicals
– Electrical machinery and plastic goods
– Precious stones and rubber
Both nations are keen to diversify their economic collaboration, particularly in areas such as renewable energy, fintech, startups, and technology.
Beyond trade, India and Qatar share robust defence cooperation. India provides military training to Qatari personnel and actively participates in the Doha International Maritime Defence Exhibition and Conference (DIMDEX). Indian Navy and Coast Guard ships frequently visit Qatar as part of ongoing strategic engagement.
On the cultural front, India has a significant presence in Qatar, with over 840,000 Indian expatriates forming the largest foreign community in the country. These individuals contribute across various fields, including healthcare, engineering, finance, education, and media, alongside a substantial blue-collar workforce. Additionally, nearly 15,000 Indian companies operate in Qatar, with investments amounting to $450 million.
Despite the growing ties, one unresolved matter remains— the case of former Indian naval personnel detained in Qatar. In August 2022, eight ex-Navy officers were arrested in Doha on espionage charges. Initially sentenced to death, diplomatic efforts by India led to the commutation of their sentences in December 2023, with seven of them returning home in February 2024.
Qatar holds significant influence in West Asian geopolitics, playing a mediating role in conflicts involving Israel, Hamas, and the Taliban. While India has not formally recognized the Taliban regime, it continues engaging with Qatar to navigate its regional and economic interests.
According to Harsh V Pant, an expert in international relations at King’s College London, “As India continues its outreach to the Taliban, Qatar may serve as a key conduit in conveying the Taliban’s views to New Delhi.”
The Emir’s visit is expected to reinforce India-Qatar relations, paving the way for stronger economic, strategic, and diplomatic collaboration in the years ahead.
