India, Qatar Sign Strategic Partnership Pact; Gaza Crisis and Trade on Agenda
India and Qatar signed an agreement on Tuesday, February 18, 2025, to elevate their bilateral relationship to a strategic partnership, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) announced. The agreement was reached during talks between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the visiting Amir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, at Hyderabad House in New Delhi.
According to Arun Kumar Chatterjee, secretary (CPV&OIA), the strategic partnership will deepen cooperation in trade, investment, energy, security and in regional and international forums. Qatar is a major energy supplier to India. During a media briefing, Chatterjee said the partnership elevates the present state of bilateral relations to the strategic level. The two sides also signed a double taxation avoidance treaty. India already has strategic partnerships with Kuwait, Oman, the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia, all members of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC).
The discussions covered the unfolding Israel-Palestinian conflict in Gaza. Chatterjee said both sides conveyed their respective positions on the Israel-Hamas issue. India supports a two-state solution to the conflict and welcomed the ceasefire announced shortly before the swearing-in of US President Donald Trump on January 20, 2025.
The Qatari Amir's visit came two days before a summit of five Arab states in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, which is expected to consider new proposals from the United States following President Trump's return to office. Trump's proposal on the Gaza crisis has drawn attention because it suggests moving Palestinians from the region to neighbouring countries such as Egypt and Jordan. India has not yet stated its position on this approach. MEA officials did not give a clear answer when asked about it. The proposal has been criticised by some observers, who say it could amount to ethnic cleansing.
On the economic front, 38 Qatari entities representing retail, food processing, hospitality, finance and energy sectors took part in discussions. The two sides resolved to double bilateral trade to $28 billion. They are also exploring the possibility of concluding a Free Trade Agreement (FTA). Chatterjee said India and the GCC are negotiating an FTA, and that India and Qatar are separately exploring a bilateral FTA in the future.
The visit also brought attention to the case of former Indian Navy commander Purnendu Tiwary, who remains in Qatari custody. Seven other prisoners detained in the same case in 2022 were repatriated in February 2024. Chatterjee said Tiwary's matter remains sub judice in local courts. The Hindu reported on Monday that the seven former Indian Navy officials who returned in February 2024 have written to Qatari authorities seeking Tiwary's repatriation.
Chatterjee noted that the Indian diaspora is the largest working force in Qatar and that around 600 Indians are currently in Qatari prisons. He said about 85 Indians received pardons during 2024, highlighting that Qatar has a provision for granting pardon.
The elevation of ties with Qatar is part of India's broader engagement with the Gulf region, where energy supplies and the welfare of a large Indian workforce remain key priorities. The strategic partnership agreement and the proposed trade talks are expected to shape India-Qatar relations in the coming years.
