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Qatar India Relations Trade News : Qatar's Emir, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, recently arrived in India, where he received a warm welcome from Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the airport. This high-level reception raises an important question: why does a country as small as Qatar—comparable in size to the Indian state of Tripura—hold such significance for India? Why is India keen on maintaining strong ties with Qatar at all costs?
The India-Qatar Connection
Despite its modest population of just 2.9 million, Qatar is home to approximately 835,000 Indians, making the Indian diaspora a significant part of its workforce. More importantly, Qatar plays a crucial role in fulfilling India's growing energy needs.
What Does India Gain from Qatar?
According to a report by Aaj Tak, India relies heavily on Qatar for its supply of Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) and Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG). Data from the International Energy Agency (2024) indicates that India's current gas consumption stands at 65 billion cubic meters, a figure expected to nearly double to 120 billion cubic meters over the next six years. Given this rapid growth, India needs a dependable energy partner—and Qatar has proven to be just that.
In the fiscal year 2022-23 alone, India imported 10.74 million metric tons of LNG from Qatar, valued at $8.32 billion. Similarly, Qatar is India's top supplier of LPG, with imports reaching 5.33 million metric tons, worth $4.04 billion, during the same period.
A Relationship Built on Trust
Qatar places significant trust in India as a trading partner. Among its top three export destinations, India ranks third, following China and Japan. This long-standing economic relationship has been built on mutual respect and reliability, and experts predict that trade between the two nations will continue to grow in the coming years.
Why Does Qatar Value India?
India, in turn, has demonstrated its commitment to Qatar on multiple occasions. A notable example was in 2017 when several Middle Eastern nations, including Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Bahrain, and Egypt, imposed a diplomatic and economic blockade on Qatar, accusing it of supporting terrorism. Airspace restrictions were enforced, preventing Qatari planes from entering Saudi Arabia.
During this crisis, India adopted a balanced diplomatic approach. While trade with Qatar was briefly affected, India quickly resumed business as soon as the situation stabilized. Unlike many nations that distanced themselves, India remained engaged, ensuring that its strategic partnership with Qatar remained intact.
Strengthening Bilateral Ties
The deepening relationship between India and Qatar was once again evident in Prime Minister Modi’s personal reception of Emir Sheikh Tamim. As India’s energy demands continue to rise, Qatar’s role as a reliable supplier will only become more critical, reinforcing a partnership rooted in economic interdependence and diplomatic trust.
