A high level composite delegation from Qatar visits Delhi

A 18-member high-level official delegation led by HE Sultan bin Rashid Al Khater, Under Secretary in the Ministry of Economy and Commerce, Government of Qatar visited New Delhi on 25th and 26th March, 2014. 

The two delegations had cordial and productive discussions in the framework of the historically close and friendly relations, and the multi-dimensional and growing cooperation between India and Qatar. Both sides discussed issues and proposals of mutual interest in a number of sectors including investment; banking and finance; energy; petrochemicals and fertilizers; civil aviation and tourism. Besides delegation level talks, bilateral meetings between counterparts from the two sides were also held. 

Among members of the visiting delegation were Qatar’s Ambassador to India, and senior officials of Qatar including Ministry of Economy & Commerce, Civil Aviation, Qatar Holding / Qatar Investment Authority, Hassad Food, Qatar Central Bank, Qatar Petroleum International, Qatar Airways, Muntajat and Katara Hospitality. 

Indian delegation at the official discussions with the Qatari delegation was led by Dr. Arvind Mayaram, Secretary, Department of Economic Affairs (DEA), Ministry of Finance. It included India’s Ambassador to Qatar, and senior officials from a number of Ministries/Departments including Finance, External Affairs, Small and Medium Enterprises, Industrial Policy and Promotion, Disinvestment, Petroleum and Natural Gas, Fertilizers, Civil Aviation and Tourism. 

HE Al Khater also met with Mr. Sumit Bose, Finance Secretary and Mr. R.P. Watal, Secretary (Expenditure), Ministry of Finance, Government of India and Secretary (East), Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India. 

Both sides shared the view that there is a vast potential to further strengthen cooperation in the above-mentioned and other sectors, and agreed to actively follow up the discussions held during the visit of the Qatari delegation. 

The visiting delegation also interacted with a number of representatives of India’s corporate sector at business events organized by Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) and Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI).