Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s arrival in Qatar’s capital, Doha, on Wednesday night comes shortly after the Gulf nation’s release of eight former Navy personnel implicated in an alleged espionage case. Welcomed by Qatar’s State Minister for Foreign Affairs, Soltan bin Saad Al-Muraikhi, PM Modi is embarking on a two-day official visit to the country.
His agenda includes bilateral discussions with Qatar’s Emir, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani. Notably, this marks the Prime Minister’s second visit to Qatar, the first being in June 2016.
Upon his arrival, PM Modi was greeted by H.E. Mr. Soltan bin Saad Al-Muraikhi, the State Minister for Foreign Affairs. During his stay, PM Modi is set to attend a dinner hosted by Qatar’s Prime Minister, His Excellency Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, in his honor. Subsequently, on February 15, Prime Minister Modi is scheduled to confer with Qatar’s Amir, His Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, engaging in discussions spanning bilateral, regional, and global matters.
This visit holds particular significance following the repatriation of eight Indian Navy personnel, previously sentenced to death on espionage charges by Qatar in November 2023. Their return to India on February 12 ensued after New Delhi’s appeal, leading to the dismissal of charges against the former officials.
Highlighting the diplomatic engagements, PM Modi expressed contentment following his meeting with PM @MBA_AlThani, emphasizing discussions aimed at fortifying India-Qatar relations. On Thursday, the Prime Minister will convene with Qatar’s Emir to deliberate on various bilateral, regional, and global issues, as outlined by the Ministry of External Affairs.
Had a wonderful meeting with PM @MBA_AlThani_. Our discussions revolved around ways to boost India-Qatar friendship. pic.twitter.com/5PMlbr8nBQ
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) February 14, 2024
During his brief sojourn, PM Modi acknowledged the sizeable Indian community in Doha, numbering over 800,000 individuals, which underscores the robust people-to-people ties between the two nations. Additionally, Indian Foreign Secretary Vinay Kwatra noted that the vibrant Indian community in Qatar accounts for approximately 25% of the total population, citing data from the 2010 Census of Qatar.
Further insights reveal the occupational diversity within the Indian diaspora in Qatar. A significant portion, approximately 60 to 70 percent, is engaged in the construction and low/unskilled/unorganized sectors, while the remaining populace is distributed among professional and business roles, denoted as “white-collar” occupations, according to a 2012 research paper.
