A day after the Amir of Qatar, Tamim Bin Hamad Al Thani, arrived in Delhi for a two-day State visit, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, along with President Draupadi Murmu, extended a ceremonial welcome to him, in the forecourt of the Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi on Tuesday. The Amir, who is accompanied by a high-level delegation, including ministers, senior officials and a business personnel, also received the Guard of Honour at the ceremony, and interacted with the senior government ministers. President Murmu too interacted with the Qatari delegation, accompanying the Amir, news agency ANI reported. President Droupadi Murmu accorded a ceremonial welcome to His Highness Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al Thani, Amir of the State of Qatar at Rashtrapati Bhavan. pic.twitter.com/HttVWDxBXV — President of India (@rashtrapatibhvn) February 18, 2025 During his visit, the Qatar Amir is expected to hold talks with PM Modi on India-Qatar bilateral ties, mainly revolving around trade, investment, energy and technology. The Amir, who is on his second state visit to India after March 2015, will also hold discussions with President Murmu, who will later host a banquet in his honour. 'Went to the airport to welcome my brother': PM Modi In a significant gesture, PM Modi personally welcomed the Amir at the Palam Technical Airport as the latter arrived in Delhi late Monday for a two-day State visit. Describing the Qatar Amir as his "brother," Modi wished him a "fruitful stay" in India. Went to the airport to welcome my brother, Amir of Qatar H.H. Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al Thani. Wishing him a fruitful stay in India and looking forward to our meeting tomorrow.@TamimBinHamad pic.twitter.com/seReF2N26V — Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) February 17, 2025 His visit, as quoted in The Indian Express, will provide “further momentum to our growing multifaceted partnership”, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said. India and Qatar have “deep-rooted historical ties of friendship, trust and mutual respect. In recent years, the ties between the two countries, including in the areas of trade, investment, energy, technology, culture and people-to-people ties, have continued to strengthen,” officials said. 'Value his guidance.': Jaishankar calls on Qatar Amir A day earlier, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar had also called on the Amir after his arrival in the national capital. "Value his guidance on advancing our cooperation in many domains. Confident that his talks with PM @narendramodi tomorrow will deepen our close bonds of friendship," Jaishankar wrote on X (formerly Twitter). Honoured to call on H.H. @TamimBinHamad, Amir of Qatar on his arrival in New Delhi for a State Visit. Value his guidance on advancing our cooperation in many domains. Confident that his talks with PM @narendramodi tomorrow will deepen our close bonds of friendship. 🇮🇳 🇶🇦 pic.twitter.com/dVjQOYMJTf — Dr. S. Jaishankar (@DrSJaishankar) February 17, 2025 Defence cooperation forms an important pillar of the bilateral agenda. India offers training slots in its defence institutions to a number of partner countries, including Qatar. Indians form the largest expatriate community in Qatar, and are “appreciated for positive contribution in the progress and development of Qatar”, the MEA said in an official release.
