This came in the framework of the two-day official visit by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in response to an invitation from HH the Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani. “Whatever happens, we will always experience freshness and happiness of gentle breeze of friendship”, Modi quoted the sufi’s words and vowed that India would “speak in one voice for Afghan right to a peaceful, prosperous, united, inclusive and democratic nation”. They further deliberated upon the importance of cooperation between Qatar Investment Authority and National Infrastructure and Investment Fund set up by the Government of India.
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The prime minister reached Qatari capital DOHA from Afghanistan on Saturday night where he was received by Prime Minister Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa Al Thani.
A third MoU calls for Cooperation in tourism between the two countries.
The bilateral relations between Qatar and India will be strengthened further with both countries yesterday agreeing to form a Supreme Committee for Co-ordination and Follow-up of Co-operation.
“The two leaders highlighted the need to isolate the sponsors and supporters of terrorism and agreed that urgent action against all such entities, which support terrorism and use it as an instrument of policy, must be taken”, a joint statement issued after the talks said.
India and Qatar today agreed to share intelligence to combat hawala transactions and terror financing as the two countries signed seven agreements and chose to move beyond the trading relationship and get into strategic investments.
It was agreed to encourage communication between the Qatari and Indian businessmen and implement an appropriate mechanism to speed up granting business and tourist visas for both countries.
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Informing about the plans to create world class infrastructure in India through 100 smart cities; metro projects for 50 cities; modern waste management system for 500 cities; and a roof over every head by 2022, Modi invited Qatar to be a partner in India’s growth story. Modi and Sheikh Tamim held detailed talks here on a wide range of issues with an intent to give a push to India-Qatar ties. Qatar is also one of India’s key sources of crude oil.
