India and Qatar have agreed to accelerate engagement on a Bilateral Investment Treaty (BIT) and Free Trade Agreement (FTA), while also advancing Qatar’s USD 10 billion investment commitment and plans to establish a Qatar Investment Authority (QIA) office in India, the Ministry of Finance said.
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman held discussions with Qatar’s Minister of State for Foreign Trade, Ahmad bin Mohammed Al-Sayed, on the sidelines of the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) 2026 Annual Meeting in Doha.
During the meeting, the two sides discussed opportunities to strengthen bilateral trade and investment ties. Qatar highlighted investment opportunities in India’s ports, airports, highways and power sectors.
At the same time, opportunities for Indian companies in Qatar were discussed across sectors including food security, pharmaceuticals, petrochemicals, education, healthcare and start-ups.
According to the Ministry of Finance, the two sides discussed the implementation of Qatar’s USD 10 billion investment commitment and the establishment of a QIA office in India.
They also expressed interest in completing the Bilateral Investment Treaty and agreed to accelerate engagement on the pact, along with negotiations for a Free Trade Agreement.
Sitharaman also stressed the need to restore normal trade between India, Qatar and other Gulf countries, including through unimpeded maritime navigation and commerce through the Strait of Hormuz.
Separately, the Finance Minister addressed the Qatari Businessmen Association (QBA) Business Roundtable in Doha, where the Indian side highlighted the country’s economic growth and investment opportunities.
The Ministry said India’s real GDP growth accelerated to 7.8 per cent in the first quarter of FY26, while investment grew 11.9 per cent.
The Ministry also highlighted Japan Credit Rating’s recent upgrade of India’s long-term issuer rating from BBB+ to A-, describing it as a reflection of confidence in India’s ongoing structural reforms.
India recorded its highest-ever annual gross Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) inflow of USD 94.53 billion in FY26, the highest in the past 15 years, the Ministry said.
During the interaction, Sitharaman discussed emerging economic opportunities in both countries and encouraged Qatari businesses to explore trade and investment partnerships with India to further strengthen bilateral economic ties.
-ANI
