India-Qatar Relations: Growing yet Stagnant?
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.31430/EUNU1558Keywords:
Foreign Policy, India-Qatar Relations, Complex InterdependenceAbstract
India-Qatar relations have come a long way since the two nations established diplomatic ties in 1973. Despite a slow start, relations between the two countries have improved significantly in recent years, driven by shared economic interests and increasing cooperation in areas such as energy, defence, and culture. This article examines the trajectory of India-Qatar relations and the factors that have shaped their development. Within the broader theoretical framework of Complex Interdependence, this study analyses the economic and geopolitical factors driving India's engagement with Qatar, as well as the role of cultural and people-to-people ties in strengthening the relationship. It also considers the challenges that have impeded progress in India-Qatar relations, including regional tensions and political differences. Despite the promising growth in India-Qatar relations, this article argues that the relationship remains largely stagnant in the political and strategic domain, with Qatar's independent policymaking contributing to India's inhibitions to pursue a relationship more forcefully beyond economic transactions.References
- Allen Fohmertz, Qatar Modern History (Washington, DC: Georgetown University Press, 2012), p. 41.
- Rosemarie Said Zahlan, The Creation of Qatar) London: Croom Helm; New York: Barnes & Noble Books, 1979), p. 56; فتوح عبد المحسن الخترش وعبد العزيز المنصور، مصادر تاريخ قطر 1916-1868:، ط 2 (الكويت: دار ذات السلاسل، 1984)، ص 82؛ K. Pasha, "Sheikh Jasim and India," in: A. K. Pasha (ed.), India and the GCC States: Historical, Geopolitical and Strategic Perspectives (New Delhi: Wisdom Publications, 2014), p. 327.
- Kallol Bhattacherjee & Suhasini Haidar, "Eight former Indian Navy Officers get Death Penalty in Qatar," The Hindu , 27/10/2023, accessed on 16/1/2025, at: https://acr.ps/1L9GPuQ; " قطر.. أحكام بإعدام 8 هنود والحكومة الهندية تعلق"، سي إن إن بالعربية، 2024/10/27، شوهد في 2025/1/17، في: https://n9.cl/7ae53
- Meryl Sebastian, "Qatar Commutes India Ex-Navy Officers' Death Penalty," BBC , 29/12/2023, accessed on 17/1/2025, at: https://n9.cl/c34xb; " الخارجية الهندية: محكمة قطرية تخفف أحكام الإعدام بحق ثمانية هنود"، العربي الجديد، 2023/12/19، شوهد في 2025/1/17، في: https://n9.cl/vspia3
- الهند: قطر أفرجت عن 8 ضباط سابقين بالبحرية الهندية"، الجزيرة نت، 2024/2/12، شوهد في 2025/1/17، في: https://shorturl.at/GoUDt
- Express View on Indian Navy Veterans' Return from Qatar: Breakthrough," The Indian Express , 12/2/2024, accessed on 17/1/2025, at: https://shorturl.at/AgdQ0
- Guy Burton, "India's 'Look West' Policy in the Middle East under Modi," 6/8/2016, accessed on 17/1/2025, at: https://shorturl.at/5R6j3
- Seema Guhadown, "Beyond Religion, Remittances: India's Relationship with West Asia Has Transformed into Partnership of Mutual Interests," Outlook India , 10/1/2023, accessed on 5/9/2024, at: https://shorturl.at/46DEy
- National Planning Council Qatar, "Qatar Foreign Merchandise Trade Surplus was QR 17.6 billion of the State of Qatar, March 2024," 29/4/2024, accessed on 5/9/2024, at: https://shorturl.at/B9Ky9
- Robert Keohane & Joseph Nye Jr., Power & Interdependence , 4 th ed. (Boston: Longman, 2011), pp. 20-21.
- جمهورية الهند، سفارة دولة قطر في نيودلهي، "العلاقات القطرية - الهندية"، شوهد في 2025/1/17، في: https://rb.gy/4xz4o3
- Deepak Nayyar, "Economic Liberalisation in India: Then and Now," Economic and Political Weekly , vol. 52, no. 2 (2017), pp. 41–48.
- ينظر: مروان قبلان، سياسة قطر الخارجية: الاستراتيجيا في مواجهة الجغرافيا (الدوحة/ بيروت: المركز العربي للأبحاث ودراسة السياسات،.)2021
- Mohamad Waseem Malla, "Media-Foreign Policy Discourse: Analysing Coverage of Saudi Arabia-Iran Rivalry by Al Jazeera English, 2006-2018," PhD Thesis, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, pp. 49-50.
- Government of India, Ministry of External Affairs, Annual Report 1999–2000 (New Delhi: 2000), p. 38, accessed on 17/1/2025, at: https://acr.ps/1L9GPF2
- Prasanta Kumar Pradhan, "Accelerating India's 'Look West Policy' in the Gulf," IDSA Issue Brief , 3/2/2011, accessed on 10/9/2024, at: https://tinyurl.com/ycxrkv62
- India, Qatar to Boost Energy Ties," Al Jazeera , 14/4/2005, accessed on 14/1/2025, at: https://acr.ps/1L9GP48
- Government of India, Ministry of External Affairs, Annual Yearbook 2008-2009 (New Delhi: 2009), p. 46.
- Avtar Singh Bhasin, India's Foreign Relations – 2009 Documents, Government of India, Ministry of External Affairs (New Delhi: 2009), p. 1772.
- Elizabeth Roche, "India to Ask Qatar to Increase LNG Exports During Emir's Visit," Live Mint , 4/4/2012, accessed on 17/1/2025, at: https://tinyurl.com/5xphy755
- President of India Office, "Speech of the President of the Republic of India, H.E. Smt. Pratibha Devisingh Patil, at the Banquet in Honour of the Emir of the State of Qatar, H.H. Sheikh Hamad Bin Khalifa Al-thani," 9/4/2012, accessed on 1/9/2024, at: https://acr.ps/1L9GPQ6; Ministry of External Affairs, "State Visit of Emir of Qatar to India," 4/4/2012, accessed on 17/1/2025, at: https://acr.ps/1L9GPQU
- President of India Office.
- Amiri Diwan, "HH The Amir Speech at the Dinner Banquet by the President of India," 25/3/2015, accessed on 17/1/2025, at: https://tinyurl.com/25zhpd5k
- Ministry of External Affairs, "Joint Statement During the State Visit of the Emir of the State of Qatar to India (March 24-25, 2015)," 26/3/2015, accessed on 17/1/2025, at: https://tinyurl.com/3w4sj4tv
- About Us," Make in India , accessed on 17/1/2025, at: https://tinyurl.com/3jweeu5m
- Government of India, Ministry of External Affairs, "India-Qatar Joint Statement During the Visit of Prime Minister to Qatar," 5/6/2016, accessed on 17/1/2025, at: https://acr.ps/1L9GPFw
- Qatar Crisis: India Favours Constructive Dialogue," Times of India , 10/6/2017, accessed on 12/9/2024, at: https://acr.ps/1L9GQ2c
- Shruti Sonal, "Qatar Crisis: Why India Failed to move Beyond short- Term Concerns," Observer Research Foundation , 24/4/2018, accessed on 12/9/2024, at: https://acr.ps/1L9GPaB
- Giorgio Cafiero & Elaine Miao, "India's Role in Qatar's Food Security Crisis," TRT World , 15/9/2017, accessed on 14/1/2025, at: https://acr.ps/1L9GPGS
- Khurram Abbas, "India, the Arab Gulf Countries and the Pakistan Factor," Insights no. 306 , Middle East Institute, 28/11/2023, accessed on 15/9/2024, at: https://acr.ps/1L9GP3b
- Al Jazeera Penalised for Showing Wrong Map of India, Off Air for 5 Days," NDTV , 22/4/2015, accessed on 25/8/2024, at: https://acr.ps/1L9GPTZ
- India Court Bars Airing of Al Jazeera Documentary," Al Jazeera , 16/6/2023, accessed on 25/8/2024, at: https://acr.ps/1L9GPpt
- قطر تستدعي سفير الهند.. وتطالب باعتذار فوري عن تصريحات 'مسيئة' للنبي محمد والسيدة عائشة"، سي إن إن بالعربية، 2022/6/5، شوهد في 2025/1/17، في: https://acr.ps/1L9GP8N
- الهند.. طرد مسؤول بالحزب الحاكم إثر تعليقات مسيئة للنبي محمد"، وكالة الأناضول، 2022/6/5، شوهد في 2025/1/17، في: https://acr.ps/1L9GPT9
- Press Information Bureau, "Vice President lauds India-Qatar Economic Partnership; Calls for Building an Enabling Environment and Forging more Collaborations for Mutual Benefit," 6/6/2022, accessed on 25/8/2024, at: https://acr.ps/1L9GPEK
- US Energy Information Administration, "Country Analysis Brief: Qatar," 28/3/2023, accessed on 18/1/2025, at: https://acr.ps/1L9GPGZ المصدر:.Ibid.
- India Renews USD 78 Bn Qatar LNG Deal with USD 6 Bn Saving," Outlook Business ,7/2/2024, accessed on 20/9/2024, at: https://acr.ps/1L9GP1o
- Sushant Singh, "Strategic Partners in Security: India and Qatar," in: Pasha, p. 229. المصدر:.Ibid.
- Saurav Anand, "India Aims to Triple Natural Gas Share to 15% by 2030: Minister," Mint , 10/8/2023, accessed on 17/1/2025, at: https://acr.ps/1L9GPSG.
- Pranay Dutta Roy, "'Told to Pack Up, Had No Idea': Behind Indian Navy Veterans' Release from Qatar," The Quint , 12/2/2024, accessed on 17/1/2025, at: https://acr.ps/1L9GPtO.
- Avtar Singh Bhasin, India's Foreign Relations-2008 Documents , p. XLI.
- An India Economic Strategy To 2035," accessed on 25/8/2024, at: https://acr.ps/1L9GPgX.
- Embassy of the State of Qatar in New Delhi, "Qatar-India Relations," accessed 25/8/2024, at: https://acr.ps/1L9GPGD
- Qatar Investment Authority to Invest INR 3,200 Crore in Adani Electricity Mumbai Limited," PR Newswire , 11/12/2019, accessed on 17/1/2025, at: https://acr.ps/1L9GPkD
- Lupa Systems and Uday Shankar Enter into a Strategic Partnership to form 'Bodhi Tree', an Investment Platform that Will be Financially Supported by the Qatar Investment Authority," PR Newswire , 9/2/2022, accessed on 17/1/2025, at: https://acr.ps/1L9GPDH
- Qatar Investment Authority to Invest Approx $1bln in India's Largest Retailer, Reliance Retail," Qatar Day , 24/8/2023, accessed on 25/8/2024, at: https://acr.ps/1L9GPXT
- QIA, BYJU'S Announce MENA Focused Edtech Subsidiary in Doha," The Peninsula Qatar , 28/3/2022, accessed on 25/8/2024, at: https://acr.ps/1L9GP59
- India, Qatar set the Stage for Enhanced Investment Cooperation and Mutual Economic Growth," India News Network , 7/6/2024, accessed on 17/1/2025, at: https://acr.ps/1L9GPPC
- Government of India, Ministry of External Affairs, "The Challenges Ahead for India's Foreign Policy," 10/4/2007, accessed on 20/9/2024, at: https://acr.ps/1L9GPXS
- Arvind Dutta, "Role of India's Defence Cooperation Initiatives in Meeting the Foreign Policy Goals," Journal of Defence Studies , vol. 3, no. 3 (July 2009), p. 32.
- معرض الدوحة الدولي للدفاع البحري (ديمدكس) معرض ومؤتمر مختص في الدفاع البحري، يُعقد كل عامين في الدوحة، وتنظمه القوات المسلحة القطرية، ويمثل منصة بارزة لقطاع الدفاع والأمن البحري؛ ما يُتيح فرصًا لعقد صفقات وشراكات مهمة.
- معرض ديف إكسبو هو فعاليةٌ تُقام كل عامين في الهند، وتُعرَض فيها أنظمة الأمن البري والبحري والداخلي. بدأ المعرض في عام 1999، وُيبُرز حضور الهند المتزايد في مجال الدفاع من خلال التحالفات والمشاريع المشتركة. ويُعزز هذا المعرض إمكانات التصدير لقطاع الدفاع المحلي الهندي. وتُنظّمه منظمة المعارض الدفاعية DEO، وهي شركة تابعة لوزارة الدفاع الهندية تأسست في عام 1981 لتنسيق معارض الفضاء والدفاع في الهند وخارجها.
- Nagapushpa Devendra, "India-Qatar Defence Cooperation: The Road Ahead," Diplomacy and Beyond , 23/3/2021, accessed on 25/8/2024, at: https://acr.ps/1L9GPkZ
- Zakir Hussain, "Indian PM's Visit to Oman and Qatar," IDSA Comment , 2/12/2008, accessed 25/8/2024, at: https://acr.ps/1L9GQ3t
- Avtar Singh Bhasin, India's Foreign Relations-2008 Documents , pp. 1830-1831.
- Ibid., pp. 62, 1834.
- Ibid., pp. 1837-1838.
- Government of India, Ministry of External Affairs, "List of Agreements Exchanged During the Visit of Prime Minister of Qatar to India," 3/12/2016, accessed on 25/8/2024, at: https://acr.ps/1L9GPId
- Government of India, Ministry of Defence, Annual Report 2019-2020 , p. 49, accessed on 25/8/2024, at: https://acr.ps/1L9GPfq
- تدريبات ومباحثات.. تعاون عسكري متنامٍ بين قطر والهند"، الخليج أونلاين، 2021/8/17، شوهد في 2025/1/17، في: https://acr.ps/1L9GQ2u
- World Bank, "Remittances Remain Resilient but Are Slowing," Migration and Development Brief 38 (June 2023), accessed on 10/9/2024, at: https://acr.ps/1L9GQ2q
- Government of India, Ministry of Culture, "Agreement between the Government of Republic of India and the Government of the State of Qatar in the Field of Cultural Cooperation," 9/4/2012, accessed on 25/8/2024, at: https://acr.ps/1L9GPVH
- India-Qatar Joint Statement During the PM's Visit to Qatar," PM India , 5/6/2016, accessed on 25/8/2024, at: https://acr.ps/1L9GPgO
- Qatar Museums Wraps up Qatar-India Year of Culture 2019," The Peninsula , 2/1/2020, accessed on 25/8/2024, at: https://acr.ps/1L9GPM3 المصدر: من إعداد الباحث استنادًا إلى: Government of India, Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation, Statistical Year Book India , accessed on 17/1/2025, at: https://acr.ps/1L9GP6S "Qatar Tourism Reports," Visit Qatar (2025), accessed on 17/1/2025, at: https://acr.ps/1L9GPR8
Downloads
Published
2025-05-01
Article dates
Received: January 16, 2024 Revised: October 10, 2024 Accepted: April 15, 2025
Usage statistics
48 views 55 downloads
Issue
Section
Studies
License
Copyright (c) 2025 Mohmad Waseem Malla (Author)

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.