Shri Ram Nath Kovind Shri Narendra Modi President Prime Minister Message from the Ambassador of India n the occasion of India’s 72nd Republic Day I extend warm greetings and best The multi-faceted partnership between India and Qatar continues to strengthen in various wishes to all fellow Indians and friends of India in the State of Qatar. areas, including energy, trade, investment, security, defence, education, sports, culture, OI also avail of this opportunity to express our deep gratitude to His Highness the Amir people to people contact. of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, His Highness the Father Amir, Sheikh Hamad Bin Bilateral trade and investment partnership between Khalifa Al Thani, the other members of the Royal Family and the Government of the State of India and Qatar continues to grow. India is the 3rd Qatar for their continued patronage and support for the Indian community in Qatar. largest export destination for Qatar. Qatar is the Republic Day is precious. Seventy-one years ago, on this historic day, the Constitution of largest supplier of LNG to India, accounting for 55% India, which enshrines the ideals and aspirations that guided India’s peaceful freedom of India’s global LNG imports and 15% of Qatar’s total movement, came into effect. This is an occasion to reaffirm our commitment to justice, export of LNG. Last month, the Energy Ministers of liberty, fraternity and equality across our society and among all fellow Indians. India and Qatar have decided to set up a Task Force to explore opportunities for investment by Qatar in the Supplement Team On this auspicious occasion, we also remember the Father of the Nation - Mahatma Gandhi entire energy value chain in India. The leadership has who was the guiding light of India’s freedom movement. His quest for equality and justice also decided to set up a joint task force to fast track is the mantra for our Republic. Last year, we concluded celebrations of the150th birth investments by Qatar Investment Authority into India. Advertising & Marketing anniversary of Gandhiji. It was a great pleasure to see the younger generations re-discover Manager Gandhiji. India and Qatar have close cooperation in international Hassan Ali Anwari fora and India joining the United Nations Security On this Day, we also recall and acknowledge the work of men and women of principle and Council from 1 January 2021 as a non permanent Marketing Team patriotism – the members of the Constituent Assembly. The most notable among them member adds new opportunities for closer cooperation. Dr. Deepak Mittal Kuriakose Joseph was Dr Bhimrao Ambedkar, who chaired the Drafting Committee and was instrumental in India welcomes the recent agreement for normalization of relations between Qatar and other Biju Paul Simon producing a document that laid the foundations of the Republic and continues to be guiding countries in the region. India has always supported resolution of issues through diplomacy Sanjai Noah light for generations. It is only in fitness of things that Indians have also started celebrating 26 and dialogue. It is hoped that the rapprochement would strengthen peace, security and November as the Constitution Day every year to mark the day of adoption of our Constitution. stability in the region. Supplement Editor Pradeep Based on the values enshrined in our Constitution, India continues to march ahead in the The Indian expatriate community is an integral part of Qatar’s development journey. They journey towards fulling the aspirations of our people. Today, India is a country of over 1.3 have earned a well-deserved reputation for its commitment, hard work and law-abiding Layout / Cover billion people, the world’s largest democracy and the third largest economy in purchasing- nature. The entire community celebrates and participate in Qatar’s successes, including A.K. Vinay Kumar power-parity terms. We are leapfrogging technologies, attaining Aatma Nirbharta, the return of Asian Games to Qatar in 2030. The two year countdown for FIFA World Cup empowering our farmers, equipping our soldiers, educating our younger generations, 2022 has just started. We are proud of the Indian companies and workers who have been Graphics achieving universal and equitable healthcare, building infrastructure, networking participating in the successful and timely delivery of the associated infrastructure here. We Krishnamurthy communities, eliminating poverty, universalizing access to housing with modern sanitation are equally indebted to doctors, nurses and paramedics who have been continuously on the and electricity, digitising economy, nurturing start-ups and innovations. At the same time, in forefront of our fight against the ongoing pandemic. It was, therefore, a proud moment to see Ad Controller pursuit of our core value of “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’ (World is one family), India is sharing Indian healthcare personnel being included and honoured in the big contingent of medical Thomas Jose its fruits of development with the entire world. frontline team during Qatar’s national day parade last month. Circulation In-charge The global pandemic last year presented unprecedented challenges for the entire humanity. This year we celebrated 16th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas on 9 January 2021. I am delighted that Sherif Samy In these challenging times, India and its 1.3 billion people have demonstrated resolve and the Indian community in Qatar participated with full enthusiasm and well-renowned member Printed by resilience, and ability to convert challenges into opportunities. This is manifest in the quick of the Indian Community Dr Mohan Thomas was awarded the prestigious Pravasi Bharatiya Raya Commercial manner in which we not only became self-sufficient in personal protection equipment, Samman Award by the Hon’ble President of India for his valuable contribution in the field of Printing Press diagnostic and therapeutic kits but also ensured reliable supplies of the same to over Medicine. 150 countries. India has stood up as the Pharmacy of the world and made available its vaccine production capabilities available to the humanity. India has produced two We are proud of the Indian community organizations in various parts of Qatar who have indigenous vaccines and rolled out world’s largest mass vaccination drive in the country on contributed immensely and selflessly for welfare and wellbeing of fellow Indians, especially Advertising Office 16 January 2021. At the same time, India also started vaccine supplies to countries in the during the challenging times of pandemic. The Embassy continues to reach out to all Indians, Gulf Times/Arrayah Bldg., C Ring Road, neighbourhood. India is playing its due role in the resurgence of economy in post-covid especially the blue collar workers, with the aim to ensure their wellbeing and deliver services P.O. Box 533, Doha Qatar scenario too. to their doorsteps. The 6th meeting of the India- Qatar Joint Working Group on Labour and Tel: (+974) 44466620 Manpower Development was held in December 2020. Both sides agreed on institutionalizing Fax: (+974) 44418811 email: [email protected] On this day, we also recognize and celebrate our deep-rooted, historical and multi-faceted mechanism to protect and promote interests of migrant workers and facilitate movement ties with Qatar, and take this opportunity to thank the people of Qatar for their warmth and of people in a safe and secure manner. We welcome and appreciate the series of very hospitality. progressive labour law reform measures adopted by the Government of the State of Qatar. These are very positive steps towards promoting and protecting the rights of the immigrant Our bilateral relations are nurtured by the close chemistry between our leadership. Prime work force. We remain engaged with Qatar authorities to ensure the welfare of Indian SPECIAL THANKS Minister Shri Narendra Modi and H.H. the Amir of the State of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin workers. We deeply appreciate their cooperation and support in this regard. The Gulf Times thanks the Hamad Al Thani have been in regular touch over the past year. Following their conversation Embassy of India, Doha-Qatar in December 2020, External Affairs Minister of India HE Dr. S. Jaishankar paid an official I once again warmly congratulate all members of the Indian community in Qatar on the for the support rendered in visit to Qatar on 27-28 December, 2020. He handed over a personal message from the Prime Republic Day of India. I am confident that all of you would continue to contribute towards preparing this supplement Minister of India to High Highness the Amir, inviting him to visit India. The invitation has been the development, progress and prosperity of our host country and work towards further kindly accepted. strengthening the bonds of friendship and cooperation between India and Qatar. 4 January 26, 2021 Key Bilateral Interactions Vande Bharat Mission Partnership Summit 2020 HE Ali bin Ahmed Al Kuwari, Minister of Commerce fter the stoppage of all global airlines due to the and Industry, chaired the Qatari delegation that outbreak of Covid 19 outbreak, the Government participated in the 26th session of the Partnership Aof India had embarked on a Mission named Summit 2020, which was held through video ‘Vande Bharat Mission’ from May 2020 onwards to help all stranded Indians worldwide. The Mission was the conferencing technology, from December 15th until largest of its kind repatriation drive undertaken by any the 18th, in Mumbai. The participation of Qatar in the government worldwide. More than 4.8 million people summit, which was held under the theme: “Partnerships have already been facilitated by Vande Bharat Mission. for Lives, Livelihood, and Growth”, comes within the People continue to travel to & from India under the framework of the endeavors aimed at discussing ways 24 bubble arrangements with various countries. This to enhance trade and investment cooperation channels included around 116000 Indians who were repatriated between Qatar and India, and shedding light on Qatar’s from Qatar to India.