Doha, Qatar: Doha witnessed a significant step in Qatar-India relations as both countries reaffirmed their commitment to bolstering bilateral trade and investment ties during the Qatar-India Business Council meetings held yesterday. The discussions highlighted the growing momentum in economic cooperation, following the elevation of their relations to a strategic partnership earlier this year.

Key figures, including Qatar’s Minister of Commerce and Industry, HE Sheikh Faisal bin Thani Al-Thani, and India’s Minister of Commerce and Industry, HE Piyush Goyal, participated alongside other prominent officials and business representatives from both nations. The meeting underscored the importance of the Amir's recent visit to India in strengthening this partnership and opening new avenues for collaboration.

Minister Sheikh Faisal noted that India is Qatar’s third-largest trading partner, with bilateral trade exceeding QR48 billion ($13.1 billion) in 2024. He emphasized Qatar's improved global economic rankings and outlined the objectives of Qatar’s Third National Development Strategy (2024-2030), which aims to build a diversified, innovation-driven economy focused on sustainability and low-carbon industries. Qatar plans to attract over $100 billion in investment across priority sectors by 2030.

Indian Minister Piyush Goyal described the Amir's visit as a "turning point" in bilateral relations, expressing optimism about the potential for higher trade volumes. He highlighted ongoing joint initiatives as crucial for continuous dialogue and partnership, focusing on sectors such as agriculture, food processing, and technology.

Both nations reiterated their dedication to expanding trade, fostering cross-border investment, and developing long-term partnerships, setting the stage for a promising future in Qatar-India economic relations.