India–Qatar relations

India–Qatar relations

Qatar	India

Prime Minister Narendra Modi with Emir Tamim Bin Hamad Al Thani in Doha, June 2016.

India–Qatar relations refers to the bilateral ties between India and Qatar. India maintains an embassy in Doha,^[1] while Qatar maintains an embassy in New Delhi.^[2]

History

Diplomatic relations between India and Qatar were established in 1973.^[3]

During a visit made by Emir Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani in March 2015, 5 MoUs entailing co-operation in several fields were signed. Additionally, an agreement on prisoner repatriation was made. According to this agreement, citizens of India or Qatar who are convicted and sentenced for a crime can be extradited to their native country to spend the remaining years of their prison sentence.^[4][5]

Diplomatic visits

Emir of Qatar Hamad bin Khalifa al Thani made diplomatic visits to India in April 1999, May 2005 and April 2012.^[3]

On 4 June 2016 Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Doha on a two-day visit which was focused on giving a new push to the economic ties, particularly in the hydrocarbon sector. During the visit he shared a meal with Indian workers living in Qatar and also addressed the NRIs at a gala event.^[6][7]

Military relations

During the first-ever diplomatic visit to Qatar made by a Prime Minister of India in November 2008, a maritime defense agreement was approved between the two countries. The agreement was described by Indian government officials as a "landmark" that would permit mutual maritime defense training and facilitate mutual visits. An agreement pertaining to law enforcement and national security was also signed during the meeting. This agreement was made with the intent of exchanging classified information in order to assist in suppressing threats raised by extremist elements.^[8] As part of these agreements, the inaugural India-Qatar Joint Committee on Defence Co-operation meeting was hosted in the Qatari capital Doha in 2008. This was followed by a second meeting in New Delhi in 2011 and a third meeting in Doha in 2013.^[9]

Economic relations

In 2008, Qatar agreed to invest US$5 billion in India's energy sector.^[10] A deep-sea gas pipeline from Qatar to India through Oman has also been proposed.^[11]

In January 2016, Qatar agreed to decrease the selling price of gas to India from $12–13 per unit to $6–7 per unit. This deal came as a result of the global reduction in gas prices and the surplus in gas supply worldwide. In addition to reducing the price, Qatar also agreed to exempt India of the ₹12,000 crore (US$1.8 billion) fee that was owed due to India's noncompliance in importing gas shipments which were previously agreed on in 2015.^[12]

Bilateral trade

As of 2014, India is Qatar's third largest trading partner, while Qatar is the eleventh most significant trading partner of India.^[13]

Qatari imports from India amounted to $1.2 billion, or 3.8% of its overall imports in 2014. At a value of $215.3 million, cereals were India's top exported commodity to Qatar. Machinery came second at $108.6 million. The export value for electronic equipment was $93.2 million, making it the third most significant Indian export to Qatar.^[14]

Qatari exports to India totaled $16.8 billion, or 12.7% of its overall exports in 2014. The highest valued export commodity is oil, of which $14.9 billion worth has been exported from Qatar to India. Vying for second place is plastics; a recorded $700.8 million worth has been exported to India. The third highest valued Qatari export to India is organic chemicals, accounting for a total of $554 million.^[15]

During his June 2016 visit to Qatar, PM Narendra Modi urged Qatari business leaders to invest in India and take advantage of India's investment-friendly policies. He assuaged the concerns of Qatari businessmen and assured them that economic bottlenecks will be resolved in the months ahead.^[16]

Indian diaspora

The Indian population in Qatar currently stands at around 720,000.^[17]

References

1. "Embassy of India in Doha, Qatar". EmbassyPages.com. Retrieved 2 January 2016.
2. "Embassy of Qatar in New Delhi, India". EmbassyPages.com. Retrieved 2 January 2016.
3. "India Qatar Bilateral Relations". Embassy of India in Doha, Qatar. Retrieved 2 January 2016.
4. "India, Qatar ink six agreements during Emir's visit". Zee News. 25 March 2015. Retrieved 2 January 2016.
5. "India welcomes Qatar Emir, inks six agreements". Hindustan Times. 26 March 2015. Retrieved 2 January 2016.
6. "'India Is A Land Of Opportunity', PM Modi Tells Business Leaders In Qatar". NDTV.com. Retrieved 2016-06-06.
7. "Prime Minister Modi to visit Qatar in June". The Times of India. Retrieved 2016-05-20.
8. Sandeep Dikshit (11 November 2008). "India signs defence pact with Qatar". The Hindu. Retrieved 2 January 2015.
9. "Qatar and India Continue To Strengthen Military Ties". Future Directions International. 2 October 2013. Retrieved 2 January 2016.
10. Sandeep Dikshit (12 November 2008). "Qatar to invest $5 billion in India". The Hindu. Retrieved 2 January 2016.
11. Bhardwaj, Priyanka. "A Qatar-to-India Pipeline?". Energy Tribune. Archived from the original on 2 January 2016.
12. "Qatar halves gas price, waives India's Rs 12,000cr liability". Times of India. 1 January 2016. Retrieved 2 January 2016.
13. "India's exports to Qatar on way to touch $1 billion in FY2014-15". The Dollar Business. 18 December 2014. Retrieved 3 January 2016.
14. "Top Qatar Imports 2014". worldsrichestcountries.com. Retrieved 2 January 2016.
15. "Top Qatar Exports 2014". worldsrichestcountries.com. Retrieved 2 January 2016.
16. "Grab investment opportunities in India: PM Narendra Modi to Qatari firms - The Economic Times". The Economic Times. Retrieved 2016-06-06.
17. Jure Snoj (18 December 2013). "Population of Qatar by nationality". BQ Magazine. Archived from the original on December 22, 2013. Retrieved 2 January 2016.