India’s growing partnership with Qatar has become increasingly pivotal in shaping the country’s influence in the Middle East. Since Prime Minister Narendra Modi assumed office in 2014, India has worked hard to cultivate stronger relations with the Gulf region, and Qatar has played a crucial role in this evolving diplomatic landscape. This partnership is vital not just in terms of economic cooperation, but also in helping India gain a strategic foothold in a region rife with political and religious tensions, including the rise of radical Islam.
The Strategic Importance of Qatar in Middle Eastern Politics
In the complex and often volatile Middle East, Qatar is a powerful player that wields substantial influence. Known for its natural gas reserves, Qatar holds the third-largest reserves globally after Russia and Iran. It uses the wealth generated from these resources to enhance its political leverage across the region. Qatar’s diplomatic maneuvering has seen it involved in a wide range of regional issues: it has been a key mediator in conflicts, including the 2023 US-Iran prisoner swap, the 2021 US-led coalition withdrawal from Afghanistan, and Gaza ceasefire efforts. Qatar has also maintained relationships with a range of ideological factions, from the Taliban to the Muslim Brotherhood, positioning itself as both a “firefighter” and an “arsonist” in the region’s ongoing crises.
Qatar’s strategic decisions often blur the lines between traditional regional powers such as Saudi Arabia, Iran, and Turkey, allowing the tiny Gulf state to play a significant role in West Asian politics. Its role as host to the largest US airbase in the region—Al Udeid—further elevates its geopolitical relevance.
India-Qatar Relations: A Growing Strategic Partnership
India’s relationship with Qatar, however, extends beyond regional politics. It is also rooted in deep economic ties and mutual cooperation. Prime Minister Modi’s proactive diplomatic approach to the Gulf region has ensured that India-Qatar relations have strengthened significantly since 2014. The February 2025 visit of Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani to New Delhi marked a major milestone in this relationship. Modi and his counterpart discussed critical regional issues, including the ongoing conflicts in Gaza and Ukraine, while upgrading bilateral relations to a “strategic partnership.”
During the visit, the two leaders agreed on several key initiatives, including a commitment by Qatar to continue supplying natural gas to India beyond the current long-term contract, which expires in 2028. Qatar’s pledge to supply 7.5 million metric tons of gas annually to India for another 20 years underscores the significance of this partnership. Furthermore, bilateral trade is expected to double, reaching $28 billion by 2028. Another breakthrough came with Qatar’s pledge to invest $10 billion in India through its sovereign fund, significantly raising its current investments.
Qatar’s Role in Securing India’s Interests
The relationship between India and Qatar is not limited to economic cooperation. It also has strategic security implications. India values Qatar’s diplomatic role in the region, especially in light of the presence of a significant Indian diaspora, which makes up a large part of Qatar’s workforce. This has made Qatar a crucial partner in safeguarding India’s interests in the Gulf region.
In recent years, India and Qatar have also cooperated closely on defense matters. Both countries are equipped with the same generation of French-made Rafale fighter jets. While India has close ties with Qatar, it remains cautious about the presence of Pakistani nationals in the Qatari armed forces. The shared concern over national security, particularly in light of the potential for cross-border tensions, remains a subject of discussion. Qatar’s role as a key partner in the Middle East, with its diverse alliances and military capabilities, allows India to better navigate the complex geopolitical landscape.
Countering the Rise of Radical Islam
In addition to strengthening India’s geopolitical influence, Qatar’s relationship with India also plays a vital role in countering the rise of radical Islam in the region. While Qatar maintains ties with controversial groups like the Taliban and the Muslim Brotherhood, it has increasingly aligned itself with global powers, including the United States, to balance its regional influence. India, on the other hand, has long been committed to combating the spread of radical ideologies. Through its ties with Qatar, India is better positioned to play an active role in addressing the challenges posed by radical Islamist movements.
The strategic partnership between India and Qatar offers both nations an opportunity to push back against extremist ideologies by promoting stability in the Middle East. India’s growing influence in the region, underpinned by its ties with Qatar, provides it with a platform to influence broader regional politics, helping maintain a balance between the region’s Shia-Sunni divide.
Qatar’s Growing Role in the Middle East
Qatar’s strategic positioning on the world stage is evident from the diverse set of relationships it maintains. From being an intermediary between the US and Iran to its close ties with both the Taliban and the United States, Qatar has demonstrated its ability to navigate complex geopolitical terrain. Sheikh Tamim’s leadership has propelled Qatar into the center of Middle Eastern diplomacy. Despite being a small nation, Qatar’s role as a mediator and investor in various global issues underscores its rising prominence.
The Qatari Emir’s visit to India after almost a decade was a clear signal of the strengthening bond between the two countries. As Qatar’s influence continues to grow, India’s ability to engage with this influential player further enhances its strategic positioning in the Middle East. This partnership is particularly valuable in countering the rise of radical Islam, providing both countries with the leverage to ensure greater stability in the region.
Conclusion: A Transformative Partnership
The growing relationship between India and Qatar has transformed the dynamics of India’s role in the Middle East. Qatar’s influence, combined with India’s economic power, positions both nations as key players in the region’s political and economic landscape. With Qatar’s strategic significance and India’s rising influence, this partnership will be central to maintaining stability and countering radical forces in the Middle East.
As India continues to build its diplomatic and strategic relations in the Gulf, Qatar stands as a key partner in navigating the challenges of a volatile region. With mutual interests in economic growth, regional security, and countering extremism, the India-Qatar partnership is set to shape the future of Middle Eastern geopolitics.
