Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani is arriving today (Feb 17, 2025) on a state visit, marking his first trip to the country in nearly ten years. This visit is expected to strengthen the growing partnership between the two nations in key sectors such as trade, energy, investment, technology, and regional cooperation.

Invited by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Emir during his two day visit will be accompanied by a high-level delegation consisting of ministers, senior officials, and business leaders.

An official statement issued by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Saturday (Feb 15, 2025), highlighted the importance of the visit, emphasizing the long-standing historical ties between India and Qatar, based on trust, friendship, and mutual respect. “This visit will be a significant milestone in furthering our multifaceted cooperation,” the MEA stated, underscoring the strong bilateral relationship that covers multiple domains. This includes the large Indian expatriate community in Qatar, which plays a vital role in the country’s progress and development.

Energy and Regional Diplomacy

One of the key areas on the agenda will be the strengthening of energy ties, particularly as Qatar remains India’s largest supplier of liquefied natural gas (LNG). The visit comes at a time when both countries are eager to explore more avenues for collaboration in the energy sector, trade, and technology.

Notably, the Emir’s trip follows Prime Minister Modi’s visit to Doha last February, which included discussions on enhancing bilateral cooperation, and the release of eight Indian Navy personnel detained in Qatar.

Unrest in Middle East

In addition to economic cooperation, the ongoing geopolitical tensions in West Asia will likely feature prominently in the discussions between the leaders of India and Qatar.

As the region continues to face uncertainty, especially with Israel’s ongoing military actions in Gaza, the broader Middle East crisis has begun to spill over into neighbouring countries like Lebanon, Syria, and Yemen.

In this context, the visit of the Emir signals a reaffirmation of Qatar and India’s shared interests in regional peace and stability.

India has been actively engaging with the Gulf region, as reflected in the diplomatic visits made by key officials, including External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar’s trip to Qatar earlier this year. During his January visit, Jaishankar met with Qatar’s Prime Minister and Foreign Minister to review the progress of bilateral cooperation, and to address regional and global developments.

Moreover, Jaishankar’s visit raised expectations for a resolution to the case of Commander (Retired) Purnendu Tiwari, a former Indian naval officer detained in Qatar in 2023. Tiwari, along with others, had been convicted on charges related to espionage, but following India’s diplomatic efforts, the death penalty was dropped for all eight men involved. While seven have been released, Tiwari remains under a travel ban as formalities within the Qatari legal system are still being finalized.

People-to-People Ties

The visit will also focus on increasing people-to-people relations. India’s sizable expatriate community in Qatar has been central to fostering strong bilateral ties, and their contributions are highly valued by both governments.

India’s engagement with the Middle East has deepened in recent months, with high level diplomatic visits to Kuwait, Bahrain, and Qatar, as well as upcoming visit to Oman over the weekend. This strategic outreach aligns with India’s efforts to position itself as a key player in the region, seeking stability and fostering partnerships in the face of growing regional tensions.