Doha/New Delhi, June 5 (UNI) Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu, who is visiting Qatar, on Sunday held talks with the Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Khalid bin Khalifa bin Abdulaziz Al Thani, during which the two sides reviewed bilateral relations, including trade, investment, and security cooperation.
Vice President Naidu, who arrived on Saturday, met with Qatar’s Shura Council and will be attending a business forum alongside an Indian business delegation and a delegation from the Qatar Chamber later on Sunday.
“PM & Minister of Interior of Qatar, Sheikh Khalid bin Khalifa bin Abdulaziz Al Thani received VP @MVenkaiahNaidu at Amiri Diwan in Doha.
Both sides held delegation level talks & reviewed bilateral relations including trade, investment, economic & security cooperation,” the MEA spokesperson Arindam Bagchi tweeted.
Ambassador of India to Qatar Deepak Mittal said the delegation accompanying the Vice-President includes Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare Bharati Pravin Pawar and three members of the parliament, Sushil Kumar Modi, Vijay Pal Singh Tomar and P Ravindhranath and other senior officials.
“About 35 member-business delegation is also part of the visit of Vice-President. The members represent Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce & Industry (FICCI) and others.”
The Ambassador said that Vice President will also participate in a business forum which will be attended by business delegations from India and Qatar. “Minister of Commerce and Industry of Qatar and representatives from Qatar Chamber and Qatar Businessmen Association are expected to join the forum.”
He said that Vice President will visit the National Museum of Qatar and the Qatar Foundation. “A community reception will be held where Vice-President will address the members of the diverse Indian expatriate community in Qatar including prominent members, senior community leaders, businesspersons, students, teachers, fishermen and blue-collar workers.”
The Ambassador said that Qatar and India are enjoying very strong friendly relationship with deep historical connection dating back to pearl trade times.
“There are people-to-people contacts. Today nearly 750,000 Indians have made Qatar their second home contributing actively to the development of Qatar,” he said.
Mittal said the multifaceted cooperation between the two sides has witnessed significant growth in economic, energy, investment, education, defence, and cultural ties. “Bilateral trade crossed $15bn in fiscal year 2021-22 showing very strong movement. Qatari is also looking for greater investment opportunities in India.”
The Ambassador said that the visit will provide a platform to discuss how to take new steps to further deepen the partnership in different areas. Qatar and India have a very strong partnership in various fields such as education.
”A number of Indian schools are operating in Qatar. First Indian University had opened in Qatar. There are discussions to open more institutions of higher education in the country,” said the Ambassador.
UNI RN