New Delhi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will hold talks with the Emir of Qatar, Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, whom he received at the airport, breaking conventions. The Amir is visiting India nearly a year after he pardoned eight former Indian naval veterans who were on the death row in for espionage.

Earlier, PM Modi received the Qatar Amir at the Air Force Station in Palam. The two leaders met with a warm embrace, signifying the special relationship between both countries.PM Modi not only received the dignitary at the airport but also called him his 'brother' in a post on X:

Went to the airport to welcome my brother, Amir of Qatar H.H. Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al Thani. Wishing him a fruitful stay in India and looking forward to our meeting tomorrow.@TamimBinHamad pic.twitter.com/seReF2N26V

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) February 17, 2025

External Affairs Minister (EAM) S. Jaishankar said on Monday that he is confident that talks between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Amir of the State of Qatar Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al Thani will deepen the close friendship between India and Qatar.

“Honoured to call on H.H. @TamimBinHamad, Amir of Qatar on his arrival in New Delhi for a State Visit. Value his guidance on advancing our cooperation in many domains. Confident that his talks with PM @narendramodi  tomorrow will deepen our close bonds of friendship,” EAM Jaishankar wrote on X.

Honoured to call on H.H. @TamimBinHamad, Amir of Qatar on his arrival in New Delhi for a State Visit.

Value his guidance on advancing our cooperation in many domains. Confident that his talks with PM @narendramodi tomorrow will deepen our close bonds of friendship.

🇮🇳 🇶🇦 pic.twitter.com/dVjQOYMJTf

— Dr. S. Jaishankar (@DrSJaishankar) February 17, 2025

"A special gesture for a special friend! PM Narendra Modi welcomed HH Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al-Thani, Amir of the State of Qatar, at the airport, as he arrived in New Delhi on his second State visit to India. The visit will further strengthen the bonds of India-Qatar partnership," the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said

Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al Thani is paying a two-day State Visit to India - his second to the country after March 2015 - at the invitation of Prime Minister Modi.

The Amir of the State of Qatar is accompanied by a high-level delegation, including ministers, senior officials and a business delegation.

Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al Thani will be accorded a ceremonial welcome at the forecourt of Rashtrapati Bhawan on Tuesday before holding talks with PM Modi on various aspects of the bilateral relations at the Hyderabad House.

During the visit, he will hold discussions with President Droupadi Murmu who will also host a banquet in his honour.

"​India and Qatar have deep-rooted historical ties of friendship, trust and mutual respect. In recent years, the ties between the two countries including in the areas of trade, investment, energy, technology, culture and people-to-people ties have continued to strengthen," read a statement issued by the MEA before Amir's India arrival.

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"The Indian community residing in Qatar forms the largest expatriate community of Qatar, and is appreciated for its positive contribution in the progress and development of Qatar. The visit of His Highness the Amir will provide further momentum to our growing multifaceted partnership," it added.