Exploring Diplomatic Relations between Qatar and India
2025/01/16
The ties of long-lasting friendship between Qatar and India are reflected in their significant political, economic and cultural engagements since diplomatic ties between the countries first began over 50 years ago.
We will explore various aspects of Qatar India relations, including political, economic, and cultural connections, as well as some of the notable initiatives that took place during the Qatar-India 2019 Year of Culture.
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Political Relations Between Qatar and India
Qatar and India have maintained strong diplomatic ties since 1973, when official bilateral relations were established. Today, Qatar is home to a vibrant Indian community, which makes up around 25% of the population.
Qatar has an embassy in New Delhi, lead by his His Excellency Mohammed Hassan Jabir Al-Jabir, Ambassador of the State of Qatar to the Republic of India. Qatar also maintains a consulate in Mumbai.
The Republic of India has an established embassy in Doha, lead by His Excellency Mr. Shri Vipul, Ambassador of India to Qatar. These diplomatic missions play a pivotal role supporting the Indian expatriate population in Qatar. The Indian Cultural Centre in Qatar offers important consular support such as visa services and passport renewals.
Both nations have engaged in multiple high-profile diplomatic visits that have bolstered their alliance. For instance, His Highness Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al-Thani, The Amir of the State of Qatar visited the Republic of India in 2015. Similarly, in 2016 Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi travelled to Doha for an official visit with a focus on strengthening economic ties, particularly in the hydrocarbon sector.
In June 2024, Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar visited Doha to meet with Qatar’s Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani. The visit highlighted key areas of collaboration, including trade, investment, energy, and security.
This ongoing diplomatic engagement underlines the strategic importance of the bilateral relationship between Qatar and India.
Economic Relations Between Qatar and India
Qatar and India share a robust economic relationship based on the key pillars of trade, energy, and mutual investment. India is Qatar’s second-largest trading partner, with bilateral trade reaching 18.7 billion USD from 2022-2023.
Qatar is India’s largest supplier of Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG), with a recent $78 billion deal between QatarEnergy and India’s Petronet underscoring the depth of this partnership.
Beyond the energy sector, Qatar-India trade relations continue to go from strength to strength. Indian businesses have a strong presence in Qatar, with over 9000 Indian companies involved in various sectors like construction, IT, and engineering. In recent years, Qatar Investment Authority has made major investments in Indian corporations, including a 1 Billion USD stake in Indian entrepreneur Mukesh Ambani’s Reliance Retail Ventures in 2023.
In June 2024, an inaugural meeting of the joint working group on investment between Qatar and India took place in New Delhi, focused on enhancing and strengthening investment relations between the two nations.
Cultural Relations Between Qatar and India
The cultural relationship between Qatar and India is marked by frequent collaborations and exchanges in recent years. Cultural and educational events like workshops, exhibitions, and performances highlight the dynamic relationship shared between the two countries.
Under the patronage of the Indian embassy, the Indian Cultural Centre in Qatar serves as a hub for cultural activities, organising events that celebrate Indian heritage through performances, exhibitions, and festivals in Qatar. The centre also offers regular classes, from Hindi and yoga to Indian Classical & Western Dance.
Indian cinema, particularly Bollywood, is also immensely popular in Qatar, with regular film screenings in local cinemas and events organised in collaboration with Qatari cultural institutions.
Events and Festivals:
One of the standout annual events hosted by the ICC is Bharat Utsav at the Qatar National Convention Centre (QNCC). This celebration of Indian culture highlights traditions such as folk dance, featuring performances from various socio-cultural organisations and Indian school students. ICC also celebrates India’s Independence Day and Republic Day each year with a variety of cultural programmes in Qatar.
As part of the Qatar-MENASA 2022 Year of Culture, which also marked the 10th anniversary of the initiative, a mega festival was organised at the Museum of Islamic Art Park. A collaboration between Qatar Museums and the ICC, Passage to India - An Indian Community Festival invited visitors to discover a rich tapestry of Indian culture. The cultural extravaganza also coincided with the 75th Anniversary of Indian Independence.
India also participated in the Community Days Festival to celebrate the opening of Doha’s Flag Plaza, during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™. As part of the 10-day event, the Indian embassy and ICC organised a special traditional dance performance for an international audience.
Education:
Around 45,0000 students currently attend one of the 19 Indian schools in Qatar. Many Indian students also pursue higher education in Qatar, contributing to the significant intellectual exchange between the two states.
Highly regarded Indian University Savitribai Phule Pune University (SPPU) also has an offshore campus located in Doha.
Sports:
India and Qatar share a mutual passion for sports, with a shared love for cricket in particular. During the 2019 Year of Culture, Qatar hosted a unique indoor cricket league at the Lusail Sports Arena, which brought the sports communities of both nations together.
In 2022, Indian cricket star Virat Kohli visited the 3-2-1 Qatar Olympic and Sports Museum in Doha and was presented with a jersey by Qatar Cricket Association President Sheikh Abdulaziz bin Saoud Al Thani.
Qatar-India 2019: The 8th Edition of Years of Culture
Perhaps the most significant cultural milestone between the two countries was the Qatar-India 2019 Year of Culture. This edition featured a vibrant year-long events calendar that celebrated the heritage of both Qatar and India, through the arts, sports, and community engagement.
Overall, the Qatar-India 2019 Year of Culture was a resounding success, showcasing the deep-rooted connections between Qatar and India.
In Conclusion
Qatar and India enjoy a friendly alliance, built on diplomatic cooperation, shared economic interests, burgeoning trade, and enthusiastic cultural exchange. Initiatives like the Qatar-India 2019 Year of Culture demonstrate the strength of this partnership, offering a platform for dialogue, creativity, and collaboration between two dynamic nations as their relationship continues to flourish.
