India-Qatar
Piyush Goyal visits Qatar to reinforce Strategic Economic Partnership
Union Minister of Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal paid an official visit to Doha, Qatar to co-chair the India–Qatar Joint Commission on Economic and Commercial Cooperation with Sheikh Faisal bin Thani bin Faisal Al Thani, Minister of Commerce and Industry of the State of Qatar.
This was the first meeting of the upgraded Joint Commission, following the decision taken during the visit of the Amir of Qatar to India in February 2025 to elevate the earlier Joint Working Group on Trade and Commerce.
The visit reaffirmed both sides’ strong commitment to further strengthen bilateral economic engagement and expanding cooperation across multiple sectors.
During the Commission meeting, both Ministers:
Reviewed the overall trade (valued at over USD 14 billion in 2024–25) and identified measures to enhance and diversify Indian bilateral trade in goods and services.
Set a shared goal of doubling bilateral trade by 2030, with new opportunities in energy, infrastructure, manufacturing, finance, technology, and green growth.
Agreed to expedite the finalization of the Terms of Reference (ToR) for launching formal negotiations on the India–Qatar Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA).
Acknowledged the announcement of USD 10 billion by Qatar into India during the State Visit of the Amir of the State of Qatar and shared commitment of both sides to unlocking new avenues for mutually beneficial investments.
Emphasised cooperation in priority sectors such as digital economy, healthcare, agriculture, tourism, culture, and environment.
On the sidelines, Shri Goyal held a series of high-level bilateral meetings with senior Qatari dignitaries and business leaders to discuss avenues for
enhancing collaboration in various areas like food security, trade finance, project partnerships, and investment opportunities for Qatar entities in India’s infrastructure and industrial sectors.
The Minister also addressed the first meeting of the India–Qatar Joint Business Council (JBC) attended by senior business representatives from FICCI, CII, ASSOCHAM, and the Qatar Chamber, and later interacted with members of the Qatari Businessmen Association (QBA).
He underlined India’s role as one of the fastest-growing major economies and an emerging hub for innovation, manufacturing, and technology under the vision of Viksit Bharat@2047.
As a key milestone in digital cooperation, Shri Goyal launched Unified Payments Interface (UPI) services in Qatar, enabling seamless digital transactions for the Indian diaspora and local consumers.
The Minister also interacted with members of the Indian Business and Professionals Council (IBPC), the Doha Chapter of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI), and the vibrant Indian community in Qatar, appreciating their contribution as a bridge for enhancing economic ties between both nations.
The visit concluded with a reaffirmation of India and Qatar’s shared vision for a forward-looking, diversified, and resilient economic partnership, built on mutual trust, energy cooperation, technological collaboration, and strong people-to-people ties.
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