EAM holds talks with Qatari PM as Doha hosts third Afghan talks

Doha/New Delhi, June 30 (Agency) External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, who is on a day-long official visit to Qatar, on Sunday held talks with the Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Qatar Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani. The EAM posted on X that he conveyed the warm wishes of PM Narendra Modi to the Qatar Amir and to the Qatari PM. The two also reviewed the bilateral relationship with focus on political, trade, investment, energy, technology, culture and people to people ties. “Delighted to meet PM and FM of Qatar @MBA_AlThani_ in Doha this afternoon. Conveyed the greetings and warm wishes of PM @narendramodi to H.H. The Amir and him. Reviewed our bilateral relationship focusing on political, trade, investment, energy, technology, culture and people to people ties. Exchanged views on regional and global issues.

Appreciate his sharing insights on the Gaza situation. Look forward to the further enhancement of India-Qatar relations and continued dialogue on issues of mutual interest,” he posted. Earlier, on arrival he was received by the Chief of Protocol Ibrahim Fakhroo and other officials at the airport. The Indian Embassy in Doha posted: “EAM arrives in Doha on a day long official visit. Received at the Airport by Chief of Protocol HE Mr Ibrahim Fakhroo.” His visit comes as Doha is hosting the third UN-sponsored meeting on Afghanistan on Sunday at the Ritz-Carlton hotel. Special representatives of countries for Afghanistan are attending the meeting. The Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan’s (IEA) spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid is leading a six-member delegation to the third Doha meeting in Qatar. According to Afghan news sites, on the sidelines of the Doha meeting, Zabihullah Mujahid held talks with the representatives of a number of countries, including India. He also met officials of countries including China, Iran, Uzbekistan, Pakistan and Russia.

The EAM’s visit also comes a few months after PM Modi visited Qatar in February this year, and had met the Father Amir, Hamad Bin Khalifa Al Thani, in Doha, as well as the Amir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani at the Amiri Palace in Doha. The two leaders had held restricted talks and delegation level talks on wide array of topics of collaboration and on global and regional issues. India and Qatar share historic and friendly relations which are marked by regular exchange of high-level visits. Prime Minister Narendra Modi had visited Qatar on February 14-15, 2024 and held discussions with Qatar’s Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani. EAM’s visit will enable both sides to review various aspects of bilateral relations including political, trade, investment, energy, security, cultural and people-to-people as well as the regional and international issues of mutual interest, a statement said.