NEW DELHI, Feb 17: In a rare gesture, Prime Minister Narendra Modi personally received Amir Of Qatar Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al-Thani at the Delhi airport on Monday evening.
The two leaders were seen talking and exchanging warm hugs. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar was also present at the airport to receive him.
Hamad Al-Thani, who is on a state visit to India, will meet President Droupadi Murmu and hold talks with PM Modi on Tuesday. His two-day visit comes at the invitation of Prime Minister Modi. This would be the second state visit of the Amir of Qatar to India. He earlier visited India in March 2015,
According to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), his visit will provide “further momentum to our growing multifaceted partnership.” He will be accompanied by a high-level delegation, including ministers, senior officials and a business delegation, MEA statement said.
According to the media advisory, EAM Jaishankar will call on him on Monday evening after his arrival. On Tuesday morning, the Amir of Qatar will be accorded a ceremonial welcome at the forecourt of the Rashtrapati Bhavan, which will be followed by his meeting with Prime Minister Modi at the Hyderabad House. His talks with Mr Modi will cover various aspects of the bilateral relations, the MEA statement said.
Exchange of MoUs are scheduled on Tuesday afternoon after which the Amir of Qatar will meet President Murmu, as per the advisory. India and Qatar have deep-rooted historical ties of friendship, trust and mutual respect. In recent years, the ties between the two countries, including in the areas of trade, investment, energy, technology, culture and people-to-people ties, have continued to strengthen.
The Indian community residing in Qatar forms the largest expatriate community of Qatar, and is “appreciated for its positive contribution in the progress and development of Qatar,” the MEA had said earlier.
(Manas Dasgupta)
