India–Qatar relations

Diplomatic relations between India and Qatar were established in 1973.[3]

During a visit made by Emir Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani in March 2015, five MoUs entailing co-operation in several fields were signed. Additionally, an agreement on prisoner repatriation was made. According to this agreement, citizens of India or Qatar who are convicted and sentenced for a crime can be extradited to their native country to spend the remaining years of their prison sentence.[4][5]

Emir of Qatar Hamad bin Khalifa al Thani made diplomatic visits to India in April 1999, May 2005 and April 2012.[3]

On 4 June 2016 Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Doha on a two-day visit which was focused on giving a new push to the economic ties, particularly in the hydrocarbon sector. During the visit he shared a meal with Indian workers living in Qatar and also addressed the NRIs at a gala event.[6][7]

During the first-ever diplomatic visit to Qatar made by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh of India in November 2008, a maritime defence agreement was approved between the two countries. The agreement was described by Indian government officials as a 'landmark' that would permit mutual maritime defence training and facilitate mutual visits. Indian officials have described the agreement as “just short of stationing troops”.[8] An agreement pertaining to law enforcement and national security was also signed during the meeting. This agreement was made with the intent of exchanging classified information in order to assist in suppressing threats raised by extremist elements.[9] As part of these agreements, the inaugural India-Qatar Joint Committee on Defence Cooperation meeting was hosted in the Qatari capital Doha in 2008. This was followed by a second meeting in New Delhi in 2011 and a third meeting in Doha in 2013.[10]

In 2008, Qatar agreed to invest US$5 billion in India's energy sector.[12] A deep-sea gas pipeline from Qatar to India through Oman has also been proposed.[13]

In January 2016, Qatar agreed to decrease the selling price of gas to India from $12–13 per unit to $6–7 per unit. This deal came as a result of the global reduction in gas prices and the surplus in gas supply worldwide. In addition to reducing the price, Qatar also agreed to exempt India of the ₹12,000 crore (US$1.7 billion) fee that was owed due to India's non-compliance in importing gas shipments which were previously agreed on in 2015.[14]

The Indian population in Qatar currently stands at around 700,000.[18]