India and Qatar have agreed to elevate bilateral relations to a strategic partnership. The decision came during the visit of Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al-Thani, the amir of Qatar, to India earlier this week.

During the visit, the two sides signed five Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) relating to trade and investment, energy ties, and cooperation in the areas of archives and documentation, youth affairs, and sports.

A revised agreement on avoidance of double taxation and prevention of fiscal evasion with respect to income taxes was also signed. Notably, Qatar committed to investing $10 billion in India across different sectors, including infrastructure, technology, manufacturing, food security, logistics, hospitality, and “other areas of mutual interest.”

Qatar is India’s largest supplier of LNG and LPG, making it a significant partner in India’s energy security and growth story.

Signaling the importance New Delhi accords to its relationship with Qatar, Prime Minister Narendra Modi broke protocol to receive the Qatari amir at the airport. This was a “special gesture for a special friend,” India’s Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson said. Such a gesture has been extended by Modi to only five other leaders so far — U.S. Presidents Barack Obama and Donald Trump, Japan’s Prime Minister Abe Shinzo, Bangladesh’s Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, and the UAE’s President Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan.

During the Qatari leader’s visit, the two sides pledged to double bilateral trade from the current $14.08 billion in five years. They are also exploring the possibility of a bilateral free trade agreement (FTA). “While there are talks going on for the India-Gulf Cooperation FTA, India at a bilateral level with Qatar has decided that we will look at the possibility of an FTA in future,” an MEA official said at a press briefing.

A meeting of the India-Qatar Business Forum was

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