Doha, Qatar: In a gesture celebrating friendship and humanitarian cooperation, Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan presented the esteemed ‘Shield of Humanity’ award to H.E. Maryam bint Ali bin Nasser Al Misnad, Minister of International Cooperation at Qatar’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The honour recognizes Qatar’s outstanding humanitarian initiatives and unwavering support to the Indian community, particularly the Malayali diaspora.

The award ceremony took place during a special reception hosted by Dr. Maryam Al Misnad for the visiting Kerala delegation. The event was attended by Minister for Fisheries, Culture and Youth Affairs Saji Cherian, Chief Secretary Dr. A. Jayathilak IAS, Indian Ambassador to Qatar Vipul, and NORCA Roots Director and ABN Corporation Chairman J.K. Menon.

During the meeting, both sides engaged in detailed discussions aimed at further strengthening Kerala-Qatar relations, with a focus on investment, industrial collaboration, and cultural exchange. The discussions highlighted Kerala’s growing industrial potential, investor-friendly policies, and the wealth of opportunities for Qatari entrepreneurs interested in expanding into India’s southern state.

Expressing heartfelt gratitude for the honour, Dr. Maryam Al Misnad conveyed her admiration for Kerala’s development vision and expressed a keen interest in exploring investment partnerships within the Qatar-India cooperation framework. She emphasized that deepening economic and cultural ties would bring mutual benefits to both nations and further strengthen the historic bond between Qatar and Kerala.