India, Qatar Agree to Accelerate FTA and Bilateral Investment Treaty Talks
- IBEF
- October 1, 2026
India and Qatar have agreed to accelerate engagement on a Bilateral Investment Treaty (BIT) and a Free Trade Agreement (FTA), while advancing Qatar’s Rs. 94,970 crore (US$ 10 billion) investment commitment and the establishment of a Qatar Investment Authority (QIA) office in India, according to the Ministry of Finance. Union Minister for Finance and Corporate Affairs, Ms. Nirmala Sitharaman, held discussions with Qatar’s Minister of State for Foreign Trade, Mr. Ahmad bin Mohammed Al-Sayed, on the sidelines of the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) 2026 Annual Meeting in Doha. The discussions covered opportunities to strengthen bilateral trade and investment ties, with Qatar highlighting investment opportunities in India’s ports, airports, highways and power sectors, while opportunities for Indian companies in Qatar were discussed across food security, pharmaceuticals, petrochemicals, education, healthcare and start-ups. The two sides also discussed the implementation of Qatar’s Rs. 94,970 crore (US$ 10 billion) investment commitment and the establishment of a QIA office in India.
The two sides expressed interest in completing the BIT and agreed to accelerate engagement on the pact alongside FTA negotiations. The discussions also covered 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, at the Qatari Businessmen Association Business Roundtable in Doha, the Indian side highlighted India’s economic growth and investment opportunities and encouraged Qatari businesses to explore trade and investment partnerships. India’s real gross domestic product (GDP) growth accelerated to 7.8% in Q1 FY26, while investment grew 11.9%. The recent upgrade by Japan Credit Rating Agency of India’s long-term issuer rating from BBB+ to A- was also highlighted as a reflection of confidence in the country’s ongoing structural reforms. India recorded its highest-ever annual gross foreign direct investment (FDI) inflow of Rs. 8.36 lakh crore (US$ 94.53 billion) in FY26, the highest in the past 15 years.
Disclaimer: This information has been collected through secondary research and IBEF is not responsible for any errors in the same.
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