India’s External Affairs Minister, Dr S. Jaishankar, concluded a two-day visit to Doha on 18th November, 2025, holding a series of high-level engagements aimed at consolidating the rapidly expanding strategic partnership between India and Qatar. His meetings with Qatar’s top leadership focused on strengthening cooperation in energy, trade, investment and regional security at a time of shifting geopolitical dynamics in West Asia.
Dr Jaishankar met the Qatari Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani, for comprehensive discussions on the state of bilateral ties. In a statement shared on X, the Minister said he had “reviewed key aspects of our Strategic Partnership including energy, trade, investment and people-to-people connect,” adding that he valued the “exchange of views on Middle East/West Asia, regional and global developments”. He later called on the Amir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, with whom he discussed expanding future cooperation and building on momentum generated by sustained high-level exchanges between the two countries. The Amir’s own visit to India in February had elevated the bilateral relationship to the level of a strategic partnership, laying the groundwork for more ambitious economic and geopolitical collaboration.
Economic and Energy Cooperation at the Forefront
Economic engagement formed a central pillar of the Doha discussions. Bilateral trade stood at approximately $14 billion in 2023–24, and both sides are now working towards doubling this figure by 2030. Negotiations toward a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) were reviewed, with both governments expressing readiness to accelerate progress on tariff reforms, regulatory alignment and investment facilitation.
Qatar, one of the world’s largest exporters of liquefied natural gas (LNG), remains vital to India’s energy security, supplying over 40% of India’s LNG imports. Officials on both sides emphasised the importance of long-term stability in energy supply chains amid continuing volatility in global markets. Beyond traditional hydrocarbons, the two governments explored emerging avenues in renewable energy, green hydrogen, digital innovation and sustainable technologies. Indian technology firms and startups have increasingly found opportunities in Qatar’s expanding innovation ecosystem, and new initiatives are being developed to encourage deeper collaboration across fintech, artificial intelligence and digital governance.
Regional Stability and Security Cooperation
The visit also underscored the growing political and security convergence between New Delhi and Doha. With West Asia continuing to face geopolitical uncertainty, both countries reiterated their commitment to supporting regional stability and preventing the spread of extremism. Officials discussed enhanced cooperation in counter-terrorism, intelligence sharing, cyber-security and action against transnational crime networks. Qatar’s diplomatic influence in West Asia and India’s broader outreach in the region have offered both sides added space for coordinated political engagement on regional issues.
People-to-People Links and Cultural Exchange
A substantial Indian diaspora—numbering more than 750,000—continues to serve as a strong bridge between the nations. During the visit, leaders reviewed ongoing initiatives designed to improve mobility, skills cooperation and cultural exchange. Plans are being developed to broaden educational partnerships, strengthen cultural programming and ease administrative processes for Indian professionals living and working in Qatar. These initiatives, officials noted, underpin the long-term resilience of the bilateral relationship.
A Forward-Looking Partnership
The government in New Delhi has described Dr Jaishankar’s visit as a significant step towards consolidating progress made throughout the year. The visit follows October’s Joint Commission meeting in Doha, co-chaired by Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal, which identified new opportunities for Qatari investment in India’s infrastructure and technology sectors. With CEPA negotiations advancing, cooperation widening into strategic and technological domains, and regional developments demanding closer coordination, the India–Qatar partnership appears set for sustained growth. Dr Jaishankar’s engagements in Doha have reinforced the trajectory of a relationship moving beyond traditional trade and labour links towards a multidimensional partnership rooted in energy security, economic modernisation and regional stability. Both governments view this evolving cooperation as essential to their long-term strategic interests and to shaping a more stable and interconnected West Asian region.
