AUGUST 15, 2021 India: A symbol of strong democracy, economic growth As India celebrates its 75th Independence Day this year, it is an occasion for all Indians to pay their respects and honour to the freedom fighters who contributed to the struggle for India’s independence. Today, India takes pride in being the world’s largest democracy and a rising economic power as a result of the strong foundation laid by its leaders who framed the country’s constitution and built strong democratic and financial institutions. 75th Independence Day of | AUGUST 15, 2021 | 03 Ram Nath Kovind AMBASSAdor’s MESSAGE Narendra Modi President of India Prime Minister of India n the occasion of the 75th touch. External Affairs Minister of India positive contribution to Qatar’s prepar- air of Doha. It is in fact a great pleas- Independence Day of India, I HE Dr S Jaishankar visited Doha twice edness for hosting the FIFA World Cup ure watching Indian and Qatari football congratulate and extend my this year and held consultations with in 2022. The first ever ‘Qatar Economic teams at play showcasing their best warm greetings to all my fel- Deputy Prime Minister and Minister Forum’ in July witnessed strong Indian sportsmanship when Qatar’s Al Rayyan low Indians living in Qatar. of Foreign Affairs HE Sheikh Moham- participation, including that of EAM Dr S was in India for AFC Champions League OI take this opportunity to also ex- med bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, Deputy Jaishankar and CEOs of TATA, Reliance, in April and Indian Football Team was in press our gratitude to His Highness the Prime Minister and Minister of State for Bharati Airtel, Birla and others. Ministe- Doha for FIFA qualifiers in May this year. Amir of the State of Qatar Sheikh Tamim Defence HE Dr Khalid bin Mohammed rial level engagements such as between India-Qatar collaboration in education bin Hamad Al Thani, His Highness the Al Attiyah and National Security Advisor India’s Commerce and Industry Minister is already well known with 18 Indian Father Amir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al HE Mohammed bin Ahmed Al Misnad. HE Piyush Goyal and Minister of Com- schools running in Qatar. With the first Thani and the Government of the State Qatar’s leadership have supported merce and Industry and Acting Minister Indian university – Savithribhai Phule of Qatar for their continued patronage growth in relation- of Finance HE Ali bin University – to soon start its off-campus and support to the Indian community ship actively too. HE Ahmed Al Kuwari; and in Qatar, more such opportunities to in Qatar. Sheikh Mohammed bin the then Minister of engage at a people-to-people level will Today, India has entered 75th year Abdulrahman Al Thani Petroleum and Natu- come up. of its independence marking a new participated in Raisina ral Gas of India HE The pandemic has brought to fore milestone in our history. India launched Dialogue on April 13, Dharmendra Pradhan the close brotherly relations between Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav (India@75) cel- 2021. Minister of and Minister of State India and Qatar. We are grateful to His ebrations on March 12, 2021, exactly Transport and Com- for Energy Affairs Highness The Amir and the Government 75 weeks prior to August 15, 2022 munications of Qatar HE Saad Sherida of the State of Qatar for solidarity and which marks completion of 75 years of HE Jassim Saif Ahmed Al Kaabi have given tremendous timely support extended to our independence. Similar celebrations Al Sulaiti participated boost to bilateral the people of India to successfully over- were inaugurated by the Indian commu- in the 2nd edition of trade and energy coming the immense challenge posed nity in Qatar on March 26, 2021. Since Maritime India Summit partnership. by the second wave of the COVID-19 then a series of events including yoga, on March 2, 2021. Bilateral defence pandemic. Qatar sent three oxygen-gen- blood donation camps, tree plantation, India and Qatar held and security coopera- erating plants and other medical assis- sports, interactive sessions etc have 4th Round of Foreign tion between India tance to India. Qatar Airways provided been organised. The aim is to recall Office Consultations on HE Deepak Mittal and Qatar continue the much needed logistic and transport and cherish the values inculcated by February 1, 2021. Ambassador of India to make a meaningful support in ferrying medical supplies India’s freedom struggle and its lead- These high level to Qatar progress. Last week, from across the globe to India. Qatar ers through various activities so that exchanges over the second edition of Petroleum (QP) filled Liquid Medical they reach the younger generations past months have deepened the bilateral Naval Exercises Za’ir Al Bahr Oxygen (LMO) in cryogenic tankers that and prepare them to take the baton. multifaceted bilateral ties in energy, were held off the coast of Qatar. Earlier, were shipped through various Indian We are glad that the people and the trade, investment, defence, education, INS Tarkash paid a port call at Hamad Naval Ships to India. At the same time, government of Qatar are sharing the joy culture, health, technology, culture etc Port in April 2021. INS Kolkata, INS the welfare and well being of the Indian of Indian community in Qatar and being and opened new windows of opportuni- Tarkash, INS Trikand and INS Shardul community in Qatar was ensured. part of Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav. ties for a mutually beneficial bilateral visited Hamad Port, Doha in the months The past year has been one of the As envisioned by India’s forefathers, cooperation. Bilateral trade and invest- of May and June 2021 to undertake toughest in modern human history. the country has made big strides in ment partnership between India and shipping of medical supplies for Covid It has also brought out the best and various sectors – agriculture, informa- Qatar continue on a positive trajectory. relief from Qatar as part of “Op Sam- demonstrated our resilience and ability tion technology, education, space, India is the third largest export destina- udra Setu- II”. Earlier, the Chief of the to adapt, create and march ahead by pharmaceuticals, electronics, engineer- tion for Qatar and is also among the top Qatar Amiri Air Force participated in the converting challenges into opportuni- ing, clean energy, cutting edge technolo- three sources of Qatar’s imports. Total Aero India Show in February 2021. ties. We see the same in India where gies like robotics, artifical intelligence, bilateral trade reached $ 9.21 billion People-to-people contact has we are witnessing recovery in economic nanotechnology and many more. It is during 2020-21. Both sides are keen always been a bedrock of India-Qatar growth and markets remain buoyant. a matter of great pride that Qatar has to take the traditional energy ties to bilateral ties. In the beginning, natural A growth of 9.5 percent is expected in been a valuable and reliable partner in a comprehensive energy partnership winds have ensured dhows from Qatar the current fiscal year ending March 31, India’s developmental journey including including – clean energy, investments, reached coastal India and vice versa. 2022. India’s foreign direct investment energy security by being the largest LNG infrastructure, transport etc. Joint After decades of deep connect, cultural sector recorded inflow of $81.72 billion. supplier to India. With new India gearing Energy Task Force has been meeting winds now are ensuring that these age This was facilitated through a series of up for more forward leaps, India-Qatar regularly. Efforts are being made to old ties solidify. The diverse, vibrant, policy steps taken to improve ease of relations are going to go only from diversify bilateral trade for which webi- multi-ethnic and multi-lingual Indian doing business and to attract invest- strength to strength. nars and buyers-seller meets have been community in Qatar is a reflection of ments into domestic manufacturing India and Qatar have always shared organised in the areas of agriculture, India’s diversity in a microcosm. The capacity and an ambitious infrastructure warm, cordial and friendly relations that pharmaceuticals, gems and jewellery embassy actively engages with several project pipeline. Foreign exchange re- date back to centuries. High-level ex- bringing together the stakeholders from organisations like Katara, Qatar Nation- serves in India reached an all-time high changes have been maintained amidst both the sides. Indian companies in al Tourism Council and Qatar Museums of $610 billion. the unprecedented pandemic situation. Qatar are pursuing collaborations in to promote cultural ties. With the return Prime Minister Narendra Modi and His infrastructure, information and commu- of Asian Games to Qatar and FIFA fast — Continued on page 12 Highness the Amir have been in regular nication technology, energy and making approaching, the sportive spirit is in the Qatar Tribune thanks the Embassy of India, Doha, for the support extended in bringing out this supplement. EDITORIAL / ADVERTISING OFFICE: Barwa Commercial Avenue, Safwa Block - Abu Hamour, Doha - Qatar, Tel: (974) 4000 2222 - (974) 4000 2155, Fax: (974) 4000 2235 - P.O.Box: 22345, Email: [email protected] MANAGING EDITOR: Louay Qaddoumi MARKETING: QT Advertising and Marketing Dept SUPPLEMENT EDITOR: Satyendra Pathak SUPPLEMENT DESIGN: Mufeesh Mohamedali 04 | AUGUST 15, 2021 | 75th Independence Day of INDIA-QATAR BILATERAL ENGAGEMENTS Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of State for Defence Affairs Dr Khalid bin Mohammed Al Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs HE Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrah- Attiyah met with India’s Minister of External Affairs S Jaishankar. They discussed bilateral part- man Al Thani met with India’s Minister of External Affairs S Jaishankar on June 15.