Tue Feb 18 17:13:11 UTC 2025: ## Qatar to Invest $10 Billion in India, Boosting Bilateral Trade
**New Delhi, India** – Qatar has pledged a $10 billion investment in India across various sectors, marking a significant boost to bilateral relations. The announcement followed a two-day visit by Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani, his first to India in a decade.
During a meeting with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Emir and Prime Minister discussed expanding trade ties. The joint statement released after the meeting detailed Qatar’s commitment to invest in infrastructure, technology, manufacturing, food security, logistics, and hospitality.
The two nations aim to double their annual bilateral trade to $28 billion within the next five years, up from $18.77 billion in the fiscal year ending March 2023. This current trade is largely driven by India’s significant imports of liquefied natural gas (LNG) from Qatar, which accounted for over 48% of India’s total LNG imports last year. The possibility of a free trade agreement is also being explored.
Further cooperation will focus on energy, including mutual investment in energy infrastructure, and exploring the use of local currencies for trade settlements. Prime Minister Modi described his meeting with the Emir as “very productive,” highlighting the commitment to diversifying and increasing trade linkages between the two nations.
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