New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday said his visit to Doha has added new vigour to India-Qatar friendship. The prime minister conveyed his "deep appreciation" to Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani for the release of eight former Indian Navy personnel who were sentenced to death.
He further stated India-Qatar ties are growing "stronger and stronger", highlighting the collaborative efforts in futuristic sectors.
Modi described his meeting with the Emir as "wonderful" and said ways to deepen cooperation across various sectors were discussed.
"Had a wonderful meeting with HH Sheikh @TamimBinHamad. We reviewed the full range of India-Qatar relations and discussed ways to deepen cooperation across various sectors. Our nations also look forward to collaborating in futuristic sectors which will benefit our planet," Modi said on X.
"India and Qatar ties are growing stronger and stronger!," Modi said in another post along with photographs of a ceremonial welcome accorded to him in Doha.
Foreign Secretary Vinay Kwatra said at a media briefing, "The prime minister thanked the Emir for his support for the welfare of the Indian community, and in this regard, expressed his deep appreciation to the Emir for the release of eight Indian nationals of Al-Dahra company. We are extremely gratified to see them back in India."
The discussions between both leaders centered around bolstering bilateral relations, with a focus on deepening cooperation in areas of trade and investment, energy, space, cultural and people-to-people ties.
External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal described the meeting between Modi and the Emir as "productive."
Modi arrived in this Qatari capital city last night after concluding a two-day visit to the United Arab Emirates.
In a post on X, Jaiswal said, "The two leaders held wide-ranging discussions on bolstering bilateral relations, with a focus on deepening trade & investment, energy, space, cultural & people to people ties."
"They also exchanged perspectives on regional and global issues. PM thanked Amir for the welfare of the Indian community in Qatar," he said.
Last night, Modi met Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani. Abdulrahman is Qatar's foreign minister as well.
Following the meeting, the Qatari prime minister hosted a dinner for Modi.
The Indian prime minister's second visit to Qatar came days after Qatar released the Indians.
The Navy veterans were on October 26 given death sentences by Qatar's Court of First Instance. The Court of Appeal in the Gulf nation on December 28 commuted the capital punishment and sentenced them to jail terms for varying durations.
The former Indian Navy personnel apparently faced charges of espionage, but neither the Qatari authorities nor New Delhi made the charges against them public, as per the PTI report.
Qatar is the largest supplier of LNG to India, accounting for over 48 per cent of India's global LNG imports, reported PTI.
Prime Minister Modi paid his first visit to Doha in June 2016.