Doha, 28 Feb. 2024

Muhemmed Aejaz, Ambassador of Pakistan to State of Qatar, alongside Muhammad Zohaib Khan, Chairman, Pakistan Software Houses Association (P@SHA), and representatives of 10 IT companies inaugurated the Pakistan Pavilion at the Web Summit 2024 in Doha, Qatar.

Around 1,043 startups including World's giant companies from 81 countries are participating in the first ever Web Simmit ever held in the Middle East, hosted by State of Qatar.

10 Pakistan based IT companies are participating in Web Summit Qatar 2024 with the collaboration of Ministry of IT and Telecom Pakistan (MoITT); Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA); Pakistan Software Export Board (PSEB); Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC); Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP); Pakistan IT Industry Association (P@SHA); and the Embassy of Pakistan in Qatar.

These distinguished partners exemplify a collaborative commitment to advancing technology and strengthening bilateral ties between Pakistan and Qatar.

Muhammad Zohaib Khan said that over 100 delegates from Pakistan are attending this globally significant event.

He acknowledged the catalytic role played by the Embassy of Qatar in creating an enabling environment for B2B matchmaking.

Pakistani envoy Muhammed Aejaz underscored that this event follows three months of the Pakistan-Qatar IT Conference, offering excellent opportunities for Pakistani IT companies and startups to explore the Qatari market and align with Qatar’s Vision 2023.

He added that this cross-fertilization of expertise can accelerate growth in the IT industry, enabling Pakistan to enter new markets, verticals, and expand its customer base.

Zohaib Khan, a participant said that focusing on Pakistani innovation, talent, and potential can attract foreign direct investment (FDI), supporting economic development, job creation, revenue generation, and achieving equilibrium in the balance of payments.

Pakistan’s participation in Web Summit 2024 showcases the vibrant and innovative tech ecosystem the country offers.

Serein Asad, Trade and Investment Attaché at the Embassy of Pakistan in Qatar, mentioned expectations for major B2B deals to materialize into significant export orders for the IT & IT-enabled Services (ITeS) industry across various verticals, including software & app development, artificial intelligence (AI) & machine learning, business process reengineering (BPR), cybersecurity & safe cities, Fintech, and Healthcare Technologies.
Nine leading IT companies are exhibiting at the Web Summit Qatar, including AllZoenT Technologies, Cloud Junction (Pvt) Ltd, Codup, Excellence Delivered (EXD) (Pvt) Ltd., Focusteck, Glowfish Services Pakistan, Matech Co Consulting & Outsourcing, Sphispare Pvt and (Ltd), and ZRC International (Pvt) Ltd.
Additionally, delegates from participating companies such as Bitsol Technologies, Crecentech Systems, Cloudpacer, Discretelogix, DevGate, Eraflip Tech, Ideofuzion, Planet Beyond, Reach the Globe, Support Solutions Hub, Sherdil Cloud, SI Global Solutions, Technupur, Verticalsols, and Ziscomm are actively engaging in the event.

 

 

26 Feb 2024, Anadolu News

The deadly self-immolation of a US airman outside the Israeli Embassy in Washington over the weekend was "very tragic," the Pentagon said Monday. "It certainly is a tragic event. We do extend our condolences to the airman's family," Pentagon spokesperson Maj. Gen. Patrick Ryder told reporters.

Aaron Bushnell, 25, an active-duty member of the US Air Force, set himself ablaze in front of Israel's diplomatic mission Sunday afternoon in protest of its ongoing war in the besieged Gaza Strip, and US support for the offensive. He was taken to a hospital but died.

“I will no longer be complicit in genocide. I’m about to engage in an extreme act of protest, but compared to what people have been experiencing in Palestine at the hands of their colonizers, it’s not extreme at all. This is what our ruling class has decided will be normal,” Bushnell said in a video recording that chronicled the fatal protest.

Bushnell can repeatedly be heard shouting "Free Palestine!" as flames engulf him before he collapses to the ground.

Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin is "following the situation," Ryder said. Additional details are expected to be provided by the Air Force 24 hours after Bushnell's family is notified.

An investigation remains underway.

Bushnell is the second known person in the US to have lit themselves on fire in protest of the war on Gaza. Last December, a person set themself on fire outside the Israeli Consulate in Atlanta, Georgia in protest.

Israel has launched a deadly offensive on the Gaza Strip since an Oct. 7 cross-border incursion by Hamas, killing more than 29,690 people and causing mass destruction and shortages of necessities. Nearly 1,200 Israelis are believed to have been killed in the Hamas-led attack.

The Israeli war on Gaza has pushed 85% of the territory's population into internal displacement amid acute shortages of food, clean water, and medicine, while 60% of the enclave's infrastructure has been damaged or destroyed, according to the UN.

Israel stands accused of genocide at the International Court of Justice. An interim ruling in January ordered Tel Aviv to stop genocidal acts and take measures to guarantee that humanitarian assistance is provided to civilians in Gaza.

Hostilities have continued unabated, however, and aid deliveries remain woefully insufficient to address the humanitarian catastrophe.

ICJ Concludes Hearings

Public hearings at International Court of Justice (ICJ) on Israel’s occupation of Palestine concluded on Monday after a week of oral statements by dozens of countries, including Türkiye, and three international organizations.

"The public hearings on the request for an advisory opinion in respect of the Legal Consequences arising from the Policies and Practices of Israel in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem, concluded today," the top UN court said in a statement.

Along with Palestine, 49 other states, including Türkiye, the US, the UK, France, and the Netherlands, and three international organizations – the Arab League, Organization of Islamic Cooperation, and African Union – presented oral statements in the Hague.

"The Court will now begin its deliberation. The Court’s advisory opinion will be delivered at a public sitting, the date of which will be announced in due course," the top UN court said.

The hearings started last Monday in The Hague following the UN General Assembly's request for an advisory opinion on the legal consequences arising from policies and practices of Israel in the occupied Palestinian territory, including East Jerusalem.

South Africa brought a genocide case against Israel to the world court in late December and asked for emergency measures to end the bloodshed in Gaza, where nearly 30,000 Palestinians have been killed since Oct. 7.

The court in January ordered Israel to take "all measures within its power" to prevent acts of genocide in Gaza but fell short of ordering a cease-fire.

It also ordered Israel to take "immediate and effective" measures to enable the provision of urgently needed basic services and humanitarian assistance in the Gaza Strip.

A cross-border incursion by the Palestinian group Hamas on Oct. 7 killed an estimated 1,200 people, but the ensuing Israeli offensive into Gaza has pushed 85% of the territory's population into internal displacement amid acute shortages of food, clean water, and medicine, while 60% of the enclave's infrastructure has been damaged or destroyed, according to the UN.

Despite an international outcry, Israel now plans a ground invasion of Rafah, which holds 1.4 million refugees.

For the first time since its establishment in 1948, Israel is being tried before the ICJ, the highest judicial body in the UN, on charges of committing the crime of "genocide" against Palestinians in Gaza.

Over the past 143 days, Israel has killed nearly 30,000 Palestinians in the besieged coastal enclave

Doha, 25 Feb. 2024

QatarEnergy has announced that it is proceeding with a new LNG expansion project, the 'North Field West' project, to further raise the State of Qatar’s LNG production capacity to 142 million tons per annum (MTPA) before the end of this decade, representing an increase of almost 85% from current production levels.

Saad Sherida Al-Kaabi, Minister of State for Energy Affairs, President and CEO of QatarEnergy, made the announcement during a press conference held today at QatarEnergy’s Headquarters in Doha.

Speaking at the press conference, Al-Kaabi announced that extensive appraisal drilling and testing have confirmed that productive layers of Qatar’s giant North Field extend towards the west, which allows for developing a new LNG production project in Ras Laffan.

The Minister said that: 'QatarEnergy has focused its efforts and attention on determining how far west the North Field’s productive layers extend in order to evaluate the production potential from those areas. We have continued geological and engineering studies and have drilled a number of appraisal wells in that area. I am pleased today to announce that, praise be to God, these great efforts have confirmed, through technical tests of the appraisal wells, the extension of the North Field’s productive layers further towards the west, which means the ability to produce significant additional quantities of gas from this new sector'.

Al-Kaabi also announced the presence of huge additional gas quantities in the North Field estimated at 240 trillion cubic feet, which raises the State of Qatar’s gas reserves from 1,760 to more than 2,000 trillion cubic feet, and the condensates reserves from 70 to more than 80 billion barrels, in addition to large quantities of liquefied petroleum gas, ethane, and helium.

He said: 'These are very important results of great dimensions that will take Qatar’s gas industry to new horizons, as they will enable us to begin developing a new LNG project from the North Field’s western sector with a production capacity of about 16 MTPA. As such, the State of Qatar's total LNG production will reach about 142 MTPA when this new expansion is completed before the end of this decade. This represents an increase of almost 85% compared to current production levels. With the completion of this project, the State of Qatar’s total hydrocarbon production will exceed 7.25 million barrels of oil equivalent per day'.

Minister Al-Kaabi added that QatarEnergy will immediately commence the basic engineering works necessary to ensure that the planned progress is achieved according to the approved schedule for this new project, which will be called the North Field West project.

He said: “I would like to extend my sincere thanks and appreciation to my colleagues the managers and employees at QatarEnergy and in the energy sector in Qatar, women and men, Qataris and expatriates, who work as one family tirelessly and with dedication to advance the energy sector for the benefit of Qatar, QatarEnergy, and our partners. And I would like to say: I am proud of you all.”

Al-Kaabi concluded his remarks by expressing sincere thanks and gratitude to His Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, the Amir of the State of Qatar for his wise leadership and guidance, and the unlimited support of the energy sector of the State of Qatar.

QatarEnergy continues work to implement various elements of the North Field production expansion projects, including the North Field East project and the North Field South project.

 

 

 

 

 

Doha, 23 Feb. 2024

 QatarEnergy announced that it has named the first LNG carrier to be delivered as part of its new LNG fleet expansion program the 'Rex Tillerson'  in recognition of the former Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Exxon Mobil Corporation (ExxonMobil), who also served as the 69^th United States Secretary of State.

During his ten-year term as Chairman and CEO of ExxonMobil (2006-16),  Tillerson oversaw the consolidation of relations with the State of Qatar and its energy sector, resulting in strategic partnerships and significant investments in Qatar’s LNG industry. While making his mark on the global energy scene.

He concurrently assumed a pivotal role in both initiating and overseeing the implementation of landmark energy projects in Qatar.

The “Rex Tillerson” is expected to be put in service in September 2024 and is currently under construction at the Hudong Zhonghua Shipyard in China as part of a 12-ship construction program that makes up the first batch of orders from China in QatarEnergy’s massive LNG shipbuilding program.

QatarEnergy’s new fleet will be equipped with the latest maritime technology ensuring optimal operational efficiency and compliance with the most stringent environmental regulations, thus reflecting QatarEnergy’s commitment to sustainability and environmental stewardship.

Commenting on this announcement, Saad Sherida Al-Kaabi, Minister of State for Energy Affairs, President and CEO of QatarEnergy, said: 'This announcement is a testament to the remarkable achievements of an exceptional energy visionary, a man whose legacy will continue to be felt in Qatar for decades'.

Minister Al-Kaabi added, 'As a result of Rex’s leadership, a long and fruitful strategic partnership that flourished from one of the oldest Qatari relationships with international oil companies, prospered and developed even further. For that, it is our honor to name the first LNG carrier built as part of our new fleet in his name, a tribute to his life-long accomplishments and a symbol of a special relationship'.

Rex Tillerson said that he was deeply honored that QatarEnergy is recognizing his long history with the development of Qatar’s natural gas resources and the country’s establishment as the leading supplier of liquefied natural gas to fuel economies around the world,

Tillerson added that It has been very gratifying to be a part of this success story.

Under Rex Tillerson’s leadership, ExxonMobil’s partnerships in Qatar covered a wide spectrum of landmark projects such as the Qatargas 2 and RasGas 3 mega-LNG trains;  Al Khaleej and Barzan Gas Projects; the Helium 1 and 2 projects; the Laffan Condensate Refinery; and the South Hook (UK), Adriatic (Italy) and Golden Pass (USA) LNG terminals.

One notable achievement between QatarEnergy and ExxonMobil during Tillerson’s tenure was the development of the industry’s largest-class LNG carriers, namely Q-Max (265,000 cubic meters) and Q-Flex (210,000 cubic meters).

Rex Tillerson’s strong leadership skills empowered him to effectively lead a global company of 75,000 employees across the globe, and to manage daily relations with governments and business leaders around the world.

Tillerson was born in March 1952 in Wichita Falls in the State of Texas. , He holds a bachelor's degree in civil engineering from the University of Texas in Austin.

He began his career with Exxon in 1975 as a civil engineer, and by 1989 he became general manager of the Exxon USA central production division.

In 1995, he became president of Exxon Yemen Inc. and Esso Exploration and Production Khorat Inc.

In 1998, he became Vice President of Exxon Ventures (CIS) Inc. and President of Exxon Neftegas Limited.

Tillerson was named Senior Vice President of Exxon Mobil Corporation in August 2001, and was elected in 2004 as President of the Corporation and member of the board of directors.

In 2006, he was elected Chair and Chief Executive of ExxonMobil. He retired from ExxonMobil on the first of January 2017, the day he moved into the world of global diplomacy as the 69^th United States Secretary of State.

About QatarEnergy

QatarEnergy is an integrated energy company committed to the sustainable development of cleaner energy resources as part of the energy transition in the State of Qatar and beyond.

The world leader in Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) – a cleaner, more flexible, and reliable source of energy, and an integral partner in the global energy transition.

Its ctivities cover the entire spectrum of the oil and gas value chain and include the exploration, production, processing, refining, marketing, trading, and sales of energy products and commodities.

As 'Energy Transition Partner', QatarEnergy is committed to building a better and brighter future by helping meet today’s energy needs, while safeguarding environment and natural resources for generations to come.

 

Doha, 22 Feb. 2024 (QNA)

Beijing, 22 Feb. 2024 (Xinhua News)

Doha, 19 Feb. 2024

Amir of State of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, laid the foundation stone for the Ras Laffan Petrochemical Complex, one of the largest in the world, which will raise Qatar’s overall petrochemical production capacity to about 14 million tons per annum by the end of 2026.

The groundbreaking ceremony was held at Ras Laffan Industrial City, and attended by Saad Sherida Al-Kaabi, Minister of State for Energy Affairs, President and CEO of QatarEnergy; Mark Lashier, President and CEO of Phillips 66; Bruce Chinn, President and CEO of Chevron Phillips Chemical; senior executives from QatarEnergy; and Chevron Phillips Chemical.

The complex will house an ethane cracker with a capacity of 2.1 million tons per annum of ethylene, making it the largest in the Middle East and one of the largest in the world, and raising Qatar’s ethylene production capacity by more than 40%. It also includes two polyethylene trains with a combined annual output of 1.7 million tons of High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE) polymer products, raising Qatar’s overall production by about 50%. QatarEnergy holds an equity share of 70% in the Ras Laffan Petrochemical Complex, with Chevron Phillips Chemical owning the remaining 30%.

Speaking at the ground breaking ceremony, Saad Sherida Al-Kaabi highlighted the project’s unique environmental qualities, and the world-class construction, operation, and technology standards, all designed to ensure energy savings, and significant reduction of emissions and hydrocarbon waste compared with similar global facilities.”

Al-Kaabi said: “The Ras Laffan Petrochemical Complex is being built at a cost of six billion dollars, making it the largest investment in history of QatarEnergy in Qatar’s petrochemicals sector. There is no doubt that this is an important landmark in QatarEnergy’s downstream expansion strategy as it will reinforce our integrated position as a global energy player and generate significant economic benefits for the country.”

He added: “Our prominent standing in the petrochemical industry will be further strengthened when we commence production of the Golden Triangle Polymers Plant in 2026, which we are developing in the US state of Texas at a cost of 8.5 billion dollars in partnership with Chevron Phillips Chemical, and which is considered the biggest in the world.”

Minister Al-Kaabi expressed his thanks to the management and staff of Chevron Phillips Chemical, QatarEnergy’s partner in this project, and extended his appreciation to the dedicated teams from QatarEnergy who are working diligently to implement this project as well as its contractors.

In conclusion, he said: “I am honored to extend ample thanks to His Highness, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, Amir of the State of Qatar, for his patronage of this event and honoring us with his presence, and for his unlimited support of the Energy Sector.”

Doha, 19 Feb.2024

United Nations-led second 2-day international conference ended on Monday with consensus on the goals Taliban rulers must meet but little progress on how the world should coordinate engagement with the unrecognized government.

U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres convened special representatives to Afghanistan from 25 countries as well as the European Union (EU), the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) held in Doha, Capital city of host country Qatar.

Speaking to journalists on conclusion of second UN 2-day conference of special envoys for Afghanistan, António Guterres said that there was consensus among delegates over what needs to happen, although the Taliban are not taking part.

“We want an Afghanistan in peace, peace with itself and peace with its neighbours and able to assume the commitments and the international obligations of a sovereign State … in relation to the international community, its neighbours and in relation to the rights of its own populations,” he said.

The Taliban refused to attend Second UN Conference on Afghanistan, saying participation was ‘unbeneficial’ if the U.N. did not see them as the sole representatives of Afghanistan. Guterres said that conditions the Taliban had placed were unacceptable.

Guterres told members of media that Rosemary di Carlo, U.N. Undersecretary-General for political and peace building affairs, met separately with a Taliban representative from the group’s Doha-based political office.

He rejected the notion that the U.N. failed to bring Afghanistan’s de facto rulers to the table because of ineffective communication, saying the “These conditions, first of all, denied us the right to talk to other representatives of the Afghan society and demanded a treatment that would, I would say, to a large extent be similar to recognition,” Guterres said.

He urged on urgent need for an end to restrictions imposed by the Taliban de facto authorities on women and girls in Afghanistan.

There was also consensus on the process to reach this objective, he added, noting proposals outlined in an independent review on an integrated and coherent approach conducted by Feridun Sinirloglu in line with Security Council resolution 2679..

Key concerns

Guterres mentioned about the main areas of concern, first  ensuring Afghanistan does not become a ‘hotbed’ of terrorist activity,  and that it has inclusive institutions in which all its diverse groups feel represented in a ‘truly inclusive’ State.

Moreover, importance of upholding human rights, in particular for women and girls, and a recognition of the progress made in combating drug production and drug trafficking.

The UN chief also underscored the need for effective humanitarian assistance to the country as well as long-term questions on Afghanistan’s future development.

He further noted ongoing cooperation between Afghanistan and neighboring countries, such as trade and infrastructure development or bilateral arrangements on combating illicit drug trade.

Key questions

He said that however, there are a set of key questions ‘in which we are stuck’, ‘On one hand, Afghanistan remains with a government that is not recognized internationally and in many aspects not integrated in the global institutions and global economy’,  he added.

“To a certain extent we are in the kind of situation of the chicken or the egg,” he said, stating the need to overcome the deadlock and produce a common road map which addresses international concerns and those of the de facto authorities simultaneously’.

On another question, Mr. Guterres said the meeting was very useful and the discussions were “absolutely needed”.

“Obviously it would be better if we would also have the opportunity after the meeting ... to discuss our conclusions with the de facto authorities. It did not happen today; it will happen in the near future.”

He announced that such meetings by UN will continue in future also.

Doha, 18 Feb. 2024

State of Qatar is hosting second meeting in Doha of the United Nations (UN) and Special Envoys on Afghanistan from 18-19 February 2024. The meeting is expected to be participated first time by Afghan delegation along with 25 countries and regional organizations including Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC); European Union (EU) and Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) as well as members of the Afghan social society.

UN Secretary-General, António Guterres to head the conference aims to sustain dialogues among special envoys and regional organizations concerning Afghanistan’s evolving situation since the Taliban took control in 2021.  Two separate sessions are scheduled for special envoys from 25 countries to meet with the Taliban authorities and Afghan civil society participants, including women, with Under-Secretary-General DiCarlo moderating.

The two-day occasion signifies the second assembly within a year, subsequent to a meeting held in May 2023, during which the Afghan authorities’ delegation was excluded. A distinct divergence of perspectives and division emerged between Asian and Western representatives regarding the involvement of the Afghan delegation in the initial May 2023 session. Representatives from China and other Asian countries emphasized the importance of including the Afghan delegation in the discussions to have a fruitful result.

The inaugural meeting in May 2023 sought consensus on engaging with the Taliban, focusing on human rights, inclusive governance, counterterrorism, and drug trafficking. The upcoming meeting aligns with Security Council resolution 2721 (2023), urging Member States to intensify international involvement for a peaceful Afghanistan, fully reintegrated into the global community.

In Doha Second meeting, participants will deliberate on enhancing international engagement with Afghanistan in a coherent and coordinated manner. The discussions will incorporate recommendations from an independent assessment presented to the Security Council on November 9, 2023, by Special Coordinator Feridun Sinirlioğlu. Topics include the potential appointment of a UN Special Envoy to facilitate diplomatic efforts and advance intra-Afghan dialogue.

In addition, the meeting will address the challenges confronting Afghanistan and explore strategies for engaging with Taliban authorities to benefit the Afghan people.

Reflecting on the UN’s role, Guterres emphasized its commitment to a people-centric approach during the first meeting in 2023. As the second meeting unfolds, participants seek a structured, international approach to aid Afghanistan in regaining stability.

However, talking with www.asiantelegraphqatar.com, reliable sources of Afghan authorities have told that Afghan delegation will join the conference on the conditions if it’s delegation is received as official delegation of Islamic Emirates of Afghanistan (IEA) and the delegation meets with the UN Secretary General António Guterres.

Doha, 16 Feb. 2024

Amir of State of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani and Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi held a session of official talks at the Amiri Diwan on Thursday, official news agency of State of Qatar 'QNA' (Qatar News Agency) reported.

The Amir of Qatar welcomed and wished Prime Minister of India and the accompanying delegation a pleasant stay and further development in bilateral elations in different spheres to meet the aspirations of the two friendly countries.

India's Prime Minister extended thanks to the Amir of Qatar for the warm reception and generous hospitality, wishing to strengthen relations to broader levels.

Both sides discussed areas of joint cooperation especially in the economic, investment, development and energy fields. They also exchanged views on key regional and international issues of common concern.

Among present on the occasion were Chief of the Amiri Diwan, Sheikh Saud bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani; Advisor to the Amir for National Security, Mohammed bin Ahmed Al Misnad; Minister of State for Energy Affairs, Saad bin Sherida Al Kaabi; Minister of Commerce and Industry, Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad bin Qassim Al-Thani; Minister of State at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Mohammed bin Abdulaziz Al Khulaifi; and a number of dignitaries and senior officials.

On the Indian side, present were Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr. Subrahmanyam Jaishankar; National Security Advisor, Ajit Doval; and members of the accompanying official delegation.

Later, the Amir of State of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad AlThani hosted a luncheon banquet in honor of the Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his accompanying delegation.

Earlier on arrival at the Amiri Diwan, Prime Minister of India was given guard of honour.

Indian Prime Minister Modi along with his delegation arrived on Wednesday night from Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates where he inaugurated first Hindu temple in the Middle East.

Upon arrival on Wednesday night Prime Minister Modi had meeting with Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of State of Qatar, Sheikh Mohammed bun Abdulrahman AlThani.

The Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani on his official account on X social media platform confirmed that the talks between both the leaders held on Thursday were distinguished.

Both sides discussed the significant aspects of their growing historical and economic relations, and discussed the most prominent common priorities and the outline for enhancing bilateral cooperation in the next stage in light of the promising capabilities and opportunities the two friendly countries possess.

Official News Agency of India, Press Trust of India (PTI) reported Prime Minister Modi comments on visit to State of Qatar as 'new vigour'  to the bilateral friendship and underlined that India looks forward to scaling up cooperation with the Gulf nation in key sectors like trade, investment, technology and culture.

Modi’s visit was significant as it came a week after Qatar released eight Indian nationals, who were sentenced to death after being arrested here in August 2022.

During his less than 24-hours visit, his second since he became the Prime Minister, Modi held wide-ranging talks with the Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani, primarily focusing on significantly expanding India-Qatar ties in areas of trade, energy, investment and new technology, PTI reports.

On the sidelines of meeting between both the leaders of State of Qatar and India, officials of Indian Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) addressed a press conference in Doha on Thursday. Present on the occasion were Vinay Kwatra, Indian Foreign Secretary; Assem R Mahajan, Joint Secretary (Gulf) at MEA;  Randhir Jaiswal, Joint Secretary and official Spokesperson MEA; and Indian ambassador to Qatar Vipul.

Vinay Kwatra said that the visit of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Qatar has set the stage for taking India-Qatar relationship to much higher level across all domains of co-operation and laid the foundation to explore opportunities in some new areas.

He said that Prime Minister Modi had also met with the Father Amir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani and on Wednesday met in the evening upon arrival to Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Mohmmed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim al-Thani.

Kwatra said that the Indian premier thanked the Amir for taking care of the welfare of the Indian community in Qatar and discussed various areas of collaboration between Qatar and India.

“The prime minister had a successful visit to Qatar and it included discussions on co-operation in new areas such as space, technology and innovation. Both sides held delegation-level discussions and restricted talks. The discussions covered a wide array of topics including economic co-operation, investments, energy partnership, space collaboration, urban infrastructure, cultural bonds and people-to-people ties. The two leaders also exchanged views on regional and global issues,” explained Kwatra.
“Both leaders held discussions on areas of co-operation including trade partnership, investment co-operation, and energy partnership, issues related to regional security, cultural affinity and people-to-people ties. The two leaders focused on the need for strategic investment and strategic partnership in the field of energy and technology. They also discussed the topics of national and international importance. The prime minister also invited His Highness the Amir to pay a visit to India,” continued Kwatra.
According to the Indian foreign secretary, the bilateral trade between both the countries stands roughly at $20bn. “The discussions focused on strong investment co-operation that India and Qatar have; strong and vibrant Indian diaspora living in Qatar; the multifaceted partnership in energy which includes energy trade and energy supply chain contributing to the field of energy security,” he highlighted.
Kwatra said that Indian prime minister during his meeting with His Highness the Father Amir congratulated him for his visionary leadership that has paved the way for the development of Qatar in the past decades and laying the foundation for strong India-Qatar bilateral relationship.
His Highness the Father Amir commented that India and Qatar share an unwavering bond empitomised by mutual trust and co-operation and appreciated the role of Indian diaspora in Qatar. “On the sidelines of India Energy Week held in Goa recently, the two countries signed an agreement for 7.5mn metric tonnes per annum LNG from Qatar to India for two decades starting from 2028 onwards. This long-term partnership goes way back to 1999 and remains robust and future oriented,” added, the foreign secretary.