The seventh Joint Working Group Meeting between India and Qatar on Labour and Manpower Development was held on the 4th and 5th of May 2022 in New Delhi. The Indian delegation was led by Shri Anurag Bhushan, Joint Secretary (OIA-I), Ministry of External Affairs and the Qatari delegation was led by H.E. Mr Mohammed Hassan Al Obaidly, Assistant Undersecretary for Labour Affairs, Ministry of Labour.
The Qatari and Indian sides had productive discussions on a wide range of issues related to the movement of labour and manpower. In this context, the Indian side has welcomed the labour reform measures taken by the State of Qatar in the recent past years. The Qatari side also praised the contribution of the Indian community to social development and infrastructure projects in the State of Qatar, stressing Qatar’s commitment to protecting and promoting labour rights.
This meeting included the regulating of the recruitment process and strengthening cooperation to resolve issues of common concern. In this regard, both the parties also agreed to work to integrate employment portals mutually. For the same context, the Qatari delegation met with HE Minister of State for External Affairs of the Republic of India V. Muraleedharan, and HE Under-Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for Consular Affairs, Passports, Visas and Indian Expatriates Affairs Dr Ausaf Sayeed. The Qatari delegation also visited the National Skill Development Corporation situated in New Delhi and its centres, where they exchanged ideas between the two sides. The ideas revolved around developing cooperation in the field of skills training and certification. The Qatari delegation also held discussions with representatives of the Non-Resident Keralites Affairs (NORKA).
India-Qatar bilateral cooperation in diverse areas has been steadily growing in a particularly excellent framework provided by historically close ties and regular and substantive engagement, including at the highest levels of the two Governments. The large, diverse, accomplished and highly regarded Indian community is making an important contribution to Qatar’s progress and in nurturing the bonds of deep-rooted friendship and multi-faceted cooperation between the two countries, an MEA report said.
The first meeting of the Joint Working Group (JWG) between India and Qatar on healthcare cooperation was held in a virtual format. During the meeting, both sides exchanged views on Digital Health and Pandemic Management; Regulatory cooperation in Pharmaceuticals, Medical Devices and Diagnostics; Exchange of medical professionals and experts; Medical value tourism and possible areas of collaboration.
It is reported that both parties have agreed to hold the next round of Joint Working Group (JWG) meetings in Qatar on a date which would be mutually convenient for both India as well as Qatar.
