Hardeep Puri holds energy talks in Doha, Qatar reaffirms commitment as reliable supplier to India
New Delhi, April 10. Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister Hardeep Singh Puri began a two-day official visit to Qatar on April 9, holding high-level talks focused on energy cooperation, regional stability and the broader strategic partnership between the two countries.
According to a statement issued by the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas on April 9, soon after arriving in Doha, Puri met Saad Sherida Al-Kaabi, Qatar’s Minister of State for Energy Affairs and President and CEO of QatarEnergy.
During the meeting, the Indian minister conveyed greetings and a message of solidarity from Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, the Amir of Qatar, as well as to Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, Qatar’s Prime Minister and Foreign Minister.
Puri recalled the two telephone conversations between Modi and the Amir in March following the outbreak of regional hostilities, when both leaders had underscored the importance of restoring peace and stability through dialogue and diplomacy. He also conveyed India’s appreciation for the care extended by Qatar to the Indian community during the period of tension.
The discussions covered the entire spectrum of India-Qatar relations, including high-level engagements, trade and investment, energy cooperation, cultural exchanges and people-to-people ties. Both sides expressed hope for an early return of peace in the region and reaffirmed their commitment to further strengthening bilateral ties.
Al-Kaabi reiterated Qatar’s position as a dependable energy partner for India and expressed keenness to expand cooperation in the energy sector.
The two ministers also welcomed the two-week ceasefire announced on April 8, stressing the need for an early end to disruptions in global energy supplies and the restoration of normal trade flows. They underlined the importance of ensuring freedom of navigation and the uninterrupted movement of global commerce to sustain supply chains.
Puri thanked the Qatari minister for the warm hospitality, and both leaders agreed to remain in close contact in the coming weeks.
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