Why PM Modi Broke Protocol to Welcome ‘Brother’ Emir of Qatar at the Airport

In an unusual diplomatic gesture, Prime Minister Narendra Modi personally welcomed Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al-Thani at the New Delhi airport, underscoring the deepening ties between India and Qatar.

PM Modi’s Warm Welcome to the Qatar Emir

Breaking protocol, Prime Minister Narendra Modi personally welcomed Qatar’s Emir, Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al-Thani, at the airport upon his arrival in India on Monday, February 17, 2025. The Emir is on a two-day state visit, during which he will hold high-level talks with Modi and meet President Droupadi Murmu to strengthen bilateral cooperation across trade, investment, technology, and security.

This marks the Qatar monarch’s second visit to India, with his first being in March 2015.

Sharing a post on X (formerly Twitter), PM Modi expressed his enthusiasm for the visit, calling the Emir his “brother” and wishing him a fruitful stay in India.

Upon his arrival, the Emir was also greeted by a cultural performance at the airport. External Affairs Minister (EAM) S. Jaishankar was present at the reception, with Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal calling it a “special gesture for a special friend.”

A High-Stakes Visit: What’s on the Agenda?

The Qatar Emir’s visit, beginning Monday, February 17, is expected to focus on:
✅ Trade and investment
✅ Energy security
✅ Technology collaboration
✅ Defence cooperation

Shortly after landing, the Emir held discussions with EAM Jaishankar. Sharing details of the meeting, Jaishankar posted:

“Honoured to call on H H @TamimBinHamad, Emir of Qatar, on his arrival in New Delhi for a state visit. Value his guidance on advancing our cooperation in many domains. Confident that his talks with PM @narendramodi tomorrow will deepen our close bonds of friendship.”

On Tuesday, February 18, the Emir will be accorded a ceremonial welcome at Rashtrapati Bhavan, followed by formal talks with Modi at Hyderabad House. Key agreements and Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) are expected to be signed before he meets President Murmu later in the day.

Why This Visit Matters: Strengthening India-Qatar Ties

The visit comes at a crucial juncture, as India and Qatar continue to deepen economic, strategic, and people-to-people ties.

1. Trade & Energy Cooperation

• Bilateral trade between India and Qatar stands at approximately $20 billion.
• Qatar is India’s largest supplier of Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG), accounting for 48% of India’s LNG imports (2022-2023).
• It also supplies 29% of India’s Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG).
• India’s exports to Qatar include cereals, iron and steel products, electrical machinery, textiles, and processed food.
• Both countries are keen to diversify trade into renewable energy, fintech, startups, and emerging technology sectors.

2. Defence & Security Ties

• India provides training slots for Qatari military personnel in its defence institutions.
• The Indian Navy and Coast Guard regularly engage with Qatar on maritime security.
• India has been a regular participant in the Doha International Maritime Defence Exhibition and Conference (DIMDEX).

3. Strong People-to-People & Business Ties

• Indians form the largest expatriate community in Qatar, with an estimated 8.4 lakh citizens engaged across various sectors, including medicine, finance, education, and business.
• Over 15,000 Indian companies operate in Qatar, with a cumulative investment of $450 million.

Lingering Issues: The Ex-Indian Navy Personnel Case

While economic and security ties remain strong, one unresolved issue between India and Qatar involves the case of eight ex-Indian Navy officers arrested in Doha on espionage charges in August 2022. Initially handed death sentences, diplomatic intervention from New Delhi led to the sentences being commuted, and seven of them were repatriated to India in February 2024.

Qatar’s Expanding Role in Regional Security

Qatar has positioned itself as a key diplomatic player in West Asia, serving as a:

• Mediator between Israel and Hamas in the ongoing conflict.
• Host for Taliban negotiations with international stakeholders.
• Critical partner in India’s evolving engagement strategy in the region.

As Harsh V Pant, a professor of International Relations at King’s College London, notes:

“As India progresses towards reaching out to the Taliban, Qatar may play a crucial role in conveying the Taliban’s stance to New Delhi.”

A Visit with Long-Term Implications

The Qatar Emir’s visit is more than just a diplomatic formality—it underscores India’s deepening ties with the Gulf region and highlights New Delhi’s efforts to secure its energy needs, economic partnerships, and regional security interests.

As India and Qatar move towards expanding cooperation across various sectors, the two-day visit could set the stage for even stronger bilateral ties in the years to come.

With inputs from agencies