New Delhi: Several days following Qatar‘s release of eight Navy veterans, who had been detained on espionage charges, Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Doha. During his visit, he held discussions with his Qatari counterpart, focusing on enhancing cooperation in areas such as trade, investment, energy, and finance.
On Wednesday night, Prime Minister Narendra Modi touched down in Doha, the capital of Qatar, arriving just days after the Gulf nation released eight former Navy personnel amidst an alleged espionage case. Welcoming PM Modi at the airport was Qatar’s State Minister for Foreign Affairs, Soltan bin Saad Al-Muraikhi. Over the course of the two-day visit, the Prime Minister is scheduled to engage in bilateral discussions with the Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani.
“Giving a fillip to the historic and deep-rooted bonds with Qatar! PM @narendramodi arrives on a visit to Doha. Received by State Minister for Foreign Affairs of Qatar, Soltan bin Saad Al-Muraikhi at the airport. Wide-ranging talks with Qatari leadership on strengthening bilateral partnership lies ahead,” Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal wrote on X.
Landed in Doha. Looking forward to a fruitful Qatar visit which will deepen India-Qatar friendship. pic.twitter.com/h6QHKpqYcm
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) February 14, 2024
Prime Minister Modi expressed his anticipation for a productive visit to Qatar in a tweet, stating, “Landed in Doha. Looking forward to a fruitful Qatar visit which will deepen India-Qatar friendship.”
Upon arriving in Doha, Prime Minister Modi engaged in a meeting with his Qatari counterpart, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani. The discussions were described as “fruitful,” focusing on the expansion of bilateral cooperation in various sectors, including trade and investment, energy, and finance, among others, as highlighted by Jaiswal.
In a tweet, Prime Minister Modi characterized his meeting with his Qatari counterpart as “wonderful.” He further mentioned that the discussions revolved around exploring avenues to enhance the friendship between the two countries.
Prime Minister Modi, in a later tweet, expressed his gratitude for the “exceptional welcome” received from the Indian community in Doha.
An exceptional welcome in Doha! Grateful to the Indian diaspora. pic.twitter.com/malGuS3jFW
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) February 14, 2024
PM Modi‘s visit to Qatar comes on the heels of a successful trip to the UAE, where he inaugurated the nation’s inaugural Hindu temple, the BAPS Swaminarayan Mandir, and participated in the large-scale ‘Ahlan Modi event.’
This visit holds particular significance as it follows the release of eight Navy veterans by Qatar, who had been detained for almost 18 months on espionage charges. This diplomatic achievement is noteworthy, adding importance to PM Modi’s visit to Qatar. The last visit by the Prime Minister to Qatar occurred in 2016, while Qatar’s Emir visited India in 2015. In 2023, India and Qatar commemorated 50 years of the establishment of full diplomatic relations between the two nations.