Context :Strategic Partnership Elevation
- India and Qatar upgraded their bilateral relationship to a strategic partnership.
- Focus areas: Trade, investment, energy cooperation, security, and regional/international collaboration.
- Qatar becomes the fifth Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) member with which India has a strategic partnership (after Kuwait, Oman, UAE, and Saudi Arabia).
Relevance : GS 2(International Relations)
Economic and Trade Engagement
- Both nations aim to double bilateral trade to $28 billion.
- 38 Qatari entities from retail, finance, and energy sectors participated in trade discussions.
- Signed a Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement (DTAA) to boost cross-border investments.
Free Trade Agreement (FTA) Considerations
- India and Qatar are exploring a bilateral FTA, parallel to the ongoing India-GCC FTA negotiations.
- An FTA could enhance market access, reduce tariffs, and streamline trade processes.
Energy Cooperation
- Qatar is a major energy supplier to India, crucial for India’s LNG (Liquefied Natural Gas) imports.
- Strengthening energy ties ensures India’s energy security and stable supply chains.
Security and Regional Geopolitics
- Security cooperation discussed but without a concrete timeline for execution.
- Both countries shared perspectives on West Asian developments, particularly the Israel-Palestine conflict.
- India reiterated its support for a two-state solution and welcomed the ongoing ceasefire.
- Qatar conveyed its stance; both sides acknowledged differing perspectives.
Challenges and Diplomatic Sensitivities
- The case of Commander Purnendu Tiwary, an ex-Indian Navy officer still in Qatari custody, remained a sensitive issue.
- Seven other Indians from the same 2022 case were repatriated in February 2024.
- The case remains sub judice in Qatari courts.
- India’s large diaspora in Qatar (~600 Indians imprisoned; 85 pardoned in 2024) highlights consular and welfare priorities.
Regional Dynamics and Strategic Timing
- The visit occurred two days before the Arab states’ summit in Riyadh.
- Discussions in Riyadh to feature US proposals regarding Palestinian resettlement—India has not officially commented.
- India’s diplomatic balancing act reflects its broader regional strategy without alienating key Middle Eastern partners.
Business and People-to-People Ties
- Joint Business Forum hosted high-level business leaders from both nations, emphasizing private sector involvement.
- Indian diaspora in Qatar remains pivotal in economic and cultural exchanges.
