Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday expressed delight over his productive meeting with Qatar's Prime Minister, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, during his official visit to Doha.
Modi, who arrived in Qatar on Wednesday night, emphasized the importance of strengthening the bilateral relationship between India and Qatar, highlighting the significance of this visit, which marks his second trip to the country since June 2016.
In a social media post following the meeting, Modi conveyed his satisfaction with the discussions aimed at enhancing the friendship between India and Qatar. The External Affairs Ministry also echoed Modi's sentiments, describing the talks between the two prime ministers as fruitful, covering various aspects of cooperation such as trade, investment, energy, and finance.
Upon his arrival, Modi was warmly received by Soltan bin Saad Al-Muraikhi, State Minister for Foreign Affairs, at the airport. During his stay, he participated in a dinner hosted by Qatar's Prime Minister in his honor.
On Thursday, Modi is scheduled to meet with the Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, to discuss bilateral, regional, and global issues, as outlined by the Ministry of External Affairs.
Expressing anticipation for a productive visit aimed at deepening ties between the two nations, Modi thanked the Indian diaspora in Doha for their exceptional welcome. He shared his gratitude and excitement on social media, accompanied by images of the warm reception he received from the enthusiastic Indian community in Doha.
Modi's visit to Qatar follows a whirlwind two-day trip to the UAE, where he engaged in various activities, including addressing the Indian diaspora and inaugurating the UAE's first Hindu stone temple.
The announcement of Modi's visit to Qatar came shortly after the release of seven out of eight jailed former Indian Navy personnel by Qatari authorities. These individuals, whose release came after a Qatari court commuted their death sentences, were welcomed back to India. Though the exact charges against them were not made public, Modi's departure statement highlighted the robust people-to-people ties between India and Qatar, emphasized by the substantial Indian community residing in Doha, which numbers over 800,000.
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