In an unusual show of hospitality, Prime Minister Narendra Modi personally greeted Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al-Thani at the airport on Monday. He is visiting India officially from February 17 to 18.
The leaders embraced and were observed laughing while they greeted each other at the airport. Following his meeting with PM Modi, the Emir proceeded to greet External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, who was present at the airport as well.
The Emir of Qatar is set to meet with President Droupadi Murmu and discuss matters with PM Modi on Tuesday.
His visit comes after an invitation from PM Modi and is his second official trip to India. According to the Ministry of External Affairs, he visited earlier in March 2015.
India and Qatar have enduring connections founded on friendship, trust, and reciprocal respect. In recent times, connections have expanded in fields like trade, investment, energy, technology, culture, and exchanges between individuals.
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) stated that the visit would “give additional impetus to our expanding multifaceted collaboration.”
