India-Qatar partnership to focus on sustainability, technology, and energy: Piyush Goyal

New Delhi: Union minister of commerce and industry Piyush Goyal said that the future of India-Qatar ties will be built on sustainability, technology, entrepreneurship, and energy. Speaking at the India-Qatar Business Forum in New Delhi, the minister emphasized that the two nations share a foundation of trust, trade, and tradition, and their economic relationship is set to expand into emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, IoT, semiconductors, and quantum computing.

The forum was attended by Sheikh Faisal bin Thani bin Faisal Al Thani, Minister of Commerce and Industry, State of Qatar, who was the Guest of Honour at the session. Goyal pointed out that the global economy is undergoing a transformation due to geopolitical tensions, climate change, cybersecurity threats, and a rising focus on localization, making it imperative for nations to align strategies for economic growth.

The minister underscored that India and Qatar complement each other and can collaborate for shared prosperity. He highlighted two key Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) signed between the Qatari Businessmen Association (QBA) and the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), and another between Invest Qatar and Invest India. The minister also announced the elevation of the Joint Working Group on Trade and Commerce to the Ministerial level, aimed at boosting bilateral trade and investment.

Quoting Prime Minister Narendra Modi, “Today, be it major nations or global platforms, the confidence in India is stronger than ever before,” Goyal urged business leaders from both nations to capitalize on this confidence and work together towards economic expansion. He emphasized that India offers a vibrant economy, a young workforce, business-friendly reforms, and a strong focus on ease of doing business.

The minister invited Qatari businesses to invest in India’s growth story, particularly in manufacturing, renewable energy, smart cities, and infrastructure development. He noted that Qatar Vision 2030 and India’s Viksit Bharat 2047 will together define a much larger and brighter future for both countries.