New Delhi, 18 February: India and Qatar signed multiple Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) on Tuesday to strengthen business cooperation, particularly in energy trade, Indian Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal announced at the India-Qatar Business Forum in New Delhi.
The agreements were signed between the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) and the Qatari Businessmen Association (QBA), as well as between Invest India and Invest Qatar. Goyal, along with his Qatari counterpart, Sheikh Faisal bin Thani bin Faisal Al Thani, attended the signing ceremony.
“These agreements will expand opportunities for businesses in both countries," Goyal said.
Qatari Emir’s Visit Signals Diplomatic Reset
Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani arrived in India on Monday for a two-day state visit, welcomed at the New Delhi airport by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Foreign Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal described the visit as an opportunity to "further strengthen the bonds between India and Qatar."
Trade and energy cooperation dominated the Emir's discussions with Indian leaders on Tuesday, marking a shift in relations following tensions over the incarceration of eight Indian Navy veterans.
The Emir’s last visit to India was in March 2015.