India and Qatar on Tuesday decided to elevate their ties to the 'strategic partnership' as the Agreement on Establishment of Strategic Partnership between India and Qatar was exchanged in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al Thani, Amir of the State of Qatar, at Hyderabad House, in Delhi. Both countries also signed an agreement on the Revised agreement for the avoidance of double taxation and prevention of fiscal evasion concerning taxes on income.
India and Qatar exchanged multiple Memorandums of Understanding (MoU) with a focus on trade, energy, investments, innovation, technology, food security, culture & people-to-people ties.
The Ministry of External Affairs in its media briefing on Qatar Amir's visit underscored that the trade between India and Qatar is about USD 14 billion annually. Both sides have agreed to set a target to double this in the next 5 years.
"Both leaders decided to elevate India-Qatar relations to a Strategic Partnership with focus on trade, energy, investments, innovation, technology, food security, culture & people-to-people ties. They also exchanged views on regional and global issues of mutual interest," Official Spokesperson, Ministry of External Affairs Randhir Jaiswal said.
Qatar's Amir Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad AL Thani arrived in Delhi on Monday on a two-day State visit, during which he will hold talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
In a special gesture, Prime Minister Narendra Modi received the Amir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad AL Thani, at the Palam Technical Airport in the national capital on Monday. The Prime Minister described the Qatar Amir as his brother and wished him a fruitful stay in India.
(With inputs from ANI)