The future partnership between India and Qatar will be grounded in the areas of sustainability, technology, entrepreneurship, and energy, according to Union Minister of Commerce and Industry, Piyush Goyal. Speaking at the inaugural session of the India-Qatar Business Forum in New Delhi, Goyal outlined the evolving nature of the bilateral relationship, highlighting how it is expanding beyond traditional trade to embrace new technologies and opportunities.
The Minister emphasized that the India-Qatar partnership is built on a foundation of trust, trade, and tradition. As global trade terms change, the focus is shifting from energy-based exchanges to cutting-edge sectors like artificial intelligence, the Internet of Things (IoT), quantum computing, and semiconductors. Goyal noted that this shift comes at a time when the world is grappling with geopolitical tensions, climate change, cybersecurity challenges, and a growing emphasis on localization.
Goyal said that India and Qatar have complementary strengths and can collaborate to foster prosperity and a shared future. He highlighted the recent signing of two memorandums of understanding (MoUs): one between the Qatari Businessmen Association (QBA) and the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), and another between Invest Qatar and Invest India. He also announced the elevation of the Joint Working Group on trade and commerce to the Ministerial level.
The Minister referenced Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s statement, “Today, be it major nations or global platforms, the confidence in India is stronger than ever before,” urging business leaders to carry forward this spirit of collaboration and confidence. He added that India offers a dynamic economy, a youthful population, continuous reforms, and a strong focus on ease of doing business and industrial growth.
Goyal extended an invitation to Qatari companies to explore opportunities in India’s expanding sectors such as investments, manufacturing, renewable energy, smart cities, and infrastructure. With both Qatar Vision 2030 and India’s Viksit Bharat 2047, the two nations are poised to build a brighter future for their people, Goyal added.
