The Forum epitomised the strength of the India-Qatar relationship built on shared interests and mutual respect

Economic collaboration for a shared future, promoting trade, energy security, technology, and sustainability formed the cornerstone of discussions

On the sidelines of the visit of H.H. Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, Amir of Qatar to India from 17-18 February, Confederation of Indian Industry, in partnership with the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) organised the India-Qatar Joint Business Forum on 18^th February 2025 in New Delhi. The Joint Business Forum was graced by Shri Piyush Goyal, Hon’ble Minister of Commerce and Industry, Government of India and H.E. Sheikh Faisal bin Thani bin Faisal Al Thani, Hon’ble Minister of Commerce and Industry, State of Qatar, who delivered keynote address at the Business Forum.

Speaking in the Inaugural session of the Joint Business Forum, Union Minister, Shri Piyush Goyal reaffirmed India’s ambition to become a USD 30-35 trillion economy by 2047, in alignment with the Viksit Bharat vision. He emphasized that while India and Qatar share a long history of successful energy trade, the future of this partnership extends beyond hydrocarbons to cutting-edge sectors like AI, quantum computing, IoT, and semiconductors etc.

He emphasized that as geopolitical dynamics shift and cybersecurity threats intensify, alongside the challenges of climate change, self-reliance i.e. Atmanirbharta has become a key priority. With each country possessing distinct competitive advantages, he stressed that India and Qatar are in a position to complement each other’s strengths and can be partners in driving innovation and shape the industries of tomorrow. As both nations embark on a transformational transition, this partnership will rest on the pillars of entrepreneurship, technology, and sustainability.

He further highlighted India’s key reforms in reducing the cost of doing business and enhancing Ease of Doing Business (EoDB), positioning it as an oasis of credibility and consistency for global investors. Inviting Qatar to explore opportunities in India’s dynamic and resilient economy, he emphasized that India’s Vision 2047 and Qatar’s National Vision 2030 will shape a new era of strategic economic cooperation. He also suggested creating a Joint Working Group on sectors of mutual interest and further invited Qatari businesses to explore opportunities in GIFT City (Gujarat International Finance Tech-City).

Speaking during the inaugural session, H.E. Sheikh Faisal bin Thani bin Faisal Al Thani, Hon’ble Minister of Commerce and Industry, State of Qatar echoed the sentiments and highlighted that the relationship between Qatar and India is not just a transaction, it is a tradition built on mutual respect, shared interests and a commitment to bolster economic cooperation. India-Qatar trade partnership has flourished with India becoming Qatar's third largest trading partner. He further emphasized that Qatar remains a diverse, dynamic, and investor-friendly destination, warmly inviting Indian investors to explore the vast opportunities within Qatar’s economy and infrastructure.

Shri Jitin Prasada, Union Minister of State of Commerce and Industry, Government of India highlighted India's dynamic economic growth and innovation-driven ecosystem. He emphasized that India has attracted USD 709 billion in FDI inflows over the last decade, supported by 40,000 compliance reforms. He also emphasised upon India's leadership in innovation, with over 1,55,000 startups across various industries, ranging from space technology to agriculture.

He further stated that India Stack is revolutionizing digital access, financial inclusion, and internet democratization. The Qatar National Bank (QNB) - National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) partnership will further enhance digital payments through QR Code-based UPI transactions. The Minister also highlighted the National Manufacturing Mission, which focuses on increasing industrial capability and delivering high-quality products. Additionally, he invited the Qatari delegation to participate in the upcoming Startup Mahakumbh in India, fostering deeper collaboration in the tech and innovation ecosystem.

H.E. Dr. Ahmad Al-Sayed, Minister of State for Foreign Trade Affairs, Ministry of Commerce and Industry, State of Qatar, highlighted that India and Qatar are well-positioned to navigate the evolving global trade landscape. He emphasized the importance of enhancing the collaboration between two countries beyond traditional energy sector to explore into emerging industries such as electric vehicles (EVs), manufacturing and other non-oil & gas sectors.

To support global investors, Qatar has established the Qatar Financial Centre (QFC)—a key initiative to attract businesses and facilitate private equity investments. He reiterated that Qatar stands as one of India’s strongest global partners, offering unparalleled access to international markets. Additionally, Qatar Science & Technology Park will serve as a foundation for research and development, while Media City in Qatar aims to attract top media companies, and Qatar Free Zone is designed to drive investment across key sectors.

With India’s prowess in digitalisation, and Qatar’s ambitious plan for digital transformation, India is in a very unique position to provide technology and scale for digital transformation to Qatar. The discussions highlighted India's position as a gateway to South Asia and Qatar's role as a hub for the Middle East. There is high potential for collaboration between India and Qatar in high quality solar grid polysilicon manufacturing, among others, noted panelists.

The India-Qatar Joint Business Forum convened business leaders, policymakers, and industry experts to explore new avenues of collaboration in relevant sectors. With bilateral trade surpassing USD 15 billion in FY 2023-24, investment flows have increased—ranking among the top three GCC investors in India—but there remains significant untapped potential. To solidify this growing partnership, two key Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) were signed during the event:

• Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) and Qatar Business Association
• Invest India and Invest Qatar

These agreements aim to facilitate business cooperation, enhance investment flows, and foster long-term collaboration in strategic sectors of mutual interest.

Shri Sanjiv, Joint Secretary, DPIIT, emphasized that the India-Qatar business delegation will serve as a catalyst for stronger partnerships. He welcomed Qatar’s participation in Startup India Mahakumbh 2025, scheduled for April 3-5, 2025, which will serve as a landmark initiative fostering deeper startup collaborations and attracting Qatari investments into India’s technology and innovation ecosystem.

Mr. Sanjiv Puri, President, CII, highlighted key areas for economic cooperation, including energy security, agriculture, the startup ecosystem, and skill development. He further emphasized Qatar’s crucial role in India's energy landscape and stated that CII is committed to facilitating partnerships between Indian and Qatari entities as both nations plan their respective renewable energy goals.

The event was also addressed by H.E. Sheikh Khalifa bin Jassim Al Thani, Chairman of Board of Directors, Qatar Chamber of Commerce and Industry and H.E. Sheikh Hamad Bin Faisal Al Thani, Board Member of the Qatari Businessmen Association. The Business forum showcased three panel discussions on investments, logistics and advanced manufacturing and futuristic areas such as AI, innovation, sustainability, etc.

The India-Qatar Business Forum reaffirmed the unwavering commitment of both nations to advancing trade, investment, and technology collaboration. As India and Qatar strengthen their economic ties, they are set to drive prosperity, innovation, and sustainable growth, unlocking a new chapter in their historic partnership.

Bilateral economic cooperation expands beyond energy into technology and digital finance, backed by MoUs and joint initiatives. The Forum focussed on deepening bilateral economic cooperation by diversifying beyond hydrocarbons into technology, renewables, advanced manufacturing and services, proposing a Joint Working Group on priority sectors, inviting Qatari investment into Indian platforms such as GIFT City, and executing two MoUs to facilitate business cooperation and investment flows; operational measures highlighted included cross border digital payments integration, use of Qatar's financial and research platforms to attract investment, and follow up stakeholder engagement to convert trade into strategic investment and technology partnerships.