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"We are building a comprehensive energy partnership. Cooperation between India and Qatar is strengthening in defence, security, healthcare and education, he said
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Amid the sudden diplomatic tensions with the Arab world including Qatar due to remarks of former BJP spokespersons against Islam, Vice President M. Venkaiah Naidu said that the 7.80 lakh strong Indian community in Qatar is a living bridge between the two countries.
Naidu while addressing the Indian community in Doha said that we are witnessing a deepening of the relations between India and Qatar. I acknowledge the contributions of each one of you in creating a positive environment in which the bilateral relations continue to grow and prosper.
Despite the Covid-19 challenge, we recorded the highest ever bilateral trade of over USD 15 billion last year. India was Qatar's third-largest trading partner. Since March 2020, Qatar's foreign direct investment in India has increased five-fold, Naidu said.
According to Naidu, over 50 wholly-owned Indian companies in Qatar in diverse fields such as infrastructure, information technology, and energy and the 15,000 jointly owned companies are adding momentum to the India-Qatar economic partnership.
"We are building a comprehensive energy partnership. Cooperation between India and Qatar is strengthening in defence, security, healthcare and education," he said.
Both nations also agreed to establish an Indian Chair at Qatar University and to pursue cooperation in the fields of sports and culture.
"India and Qatar will soon mark the 50th anniversary of India and Qatar establishing full diplomatic relations. I am confident that you will participate enthusiastically in the planned events jointly with the Qatari side," he said.
Naidu added that India is investing in modernising its infrastructure and paving the way for a USD 5 trillion economy. An investment of USD 1.3 trillion is being made, especially in connectivity infrastructure.
"India has also launched the Gati Shakti National Master Plan for better planning and coordination of infrastructure connectivity projects. In the last seven years, the length of national highways has gone up by more than 50 per cent, even despite Covid-19 restrictions," he said.
While talking about ease of living and ease of doing business, he said that India is setting new benchmarks in quality of life, ease of employment, quality of education, ease of mobility, quality of travel, and ease of quality of services and products.
"Today, India is making for the world, and our merchandise exports crossed the target of USD 400 billion for the first time in India's history," he said.