India and Qatar strive to double bilateral trade over the next five years, said trade union minister Piyush Goyal, at a time when the new Delhi is facing steep American tariffs. Trade between the two countries was $ 14.15 billion in FY25.
At the beginning of the day, Goyal chaired the joint commission of India-Katar for economic and business cooperation with his Qatari counterpart Sheikh Faisal bin Thani Bin Faisal Al Thani. India is in the process of expanding its export basket after American tariffs throw a cloud through a shop of $ 86.5 billion with the largest economy in the world.
Both leaders reviewed total business and investment relations and discussed measures to deal with existing commercial barriers and strengthen cooperation across developing sectors, including finances, agriculture, health care, technology and renewable energy. Both parties reaffirmed their shared intention to monitor an ambitious agreement on the Agreement on the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement in India (CEPA) to further deepen the economic involvement, the Minister of Trade said in a statement.
Also read | India will enter FTA interviews with Qatar, the EU as US tariff tribes of business ties
Goyal, who spoke at a meeting of the Commercial Council in India – Qatar (JBC), attended by representatives of the local industry and the Qatar Chamber, stressed the resistance of India in the middle of global economic heads. The Minister also emphasized the robust macroeconomic foundations in India, a prosperous beginning ecosystem and contributing business environment and urging companies from both countries to explore the new partnership.
Goyal said both economies have significant unused business potential. He identified a promising branch for expansion, including electronics, cars, drugs, processed food, textiles, gems and jewelry, IT, high-tech production and solar energy. He also praised the first personal meeting of JBC to support direct involvement among businesses.
Trade deficit
India has a business deficit of $ 10.78 billion, controlled mainly by oil imports, which represents 89% of its total import. Both ministers recognized the key role of Qatar as a long -term energy partner for India, with the upcoming LNG agreement of 7.5 million tonnes a year since 2028 formed the cornerstone of cooperation. Goyal emphasized the need to diversify trade by strengthening Indian exports to Qatar and complemented energy partnership with the growth of sectors with added value.
According to the Ministry’s statement, Goyal organized a number of meetings with leaders and leaders in Katari on the secondary dormitory and explored the ways for larger investment flows, technological partnerships and common companies between businesses in both countries.
Also read | Indian puzzles FTA: Why export does not adhere to the pace with ambitions
Goyal also took part in the start of the Unified Payments Interface (UPI) interface in Lul Mall, Pearl Island, a milestone in Indian digital cooperation with Qatar, which facilitates trouble -free digital payments for Indian diaspora and local consumers.
At the beginning of the day, Goyal paid a flower tribute to Mahatma Gandhi at the Embassy of India in Doha and planted a tree under the initiative “EK Ped Maa Keam”, reflecting India’s commitment to sustainability and administration of the environment.
Previously, in February 2025, Amir was Qatar, Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al Thani, in India during a state visit. During this visit, both countries strengthened their common working group for trade and trade on the joint committee at the ministerial level to control a more structured dialogue on economic matters.
Also read | For India and EU, an agreement is closer than ever (tagstotranslate) India
