The Vice President is visiting Qatar at the invitation of the Gulf country’s Amir, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani

Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar will undertake a two-day (November 20-21) official visit to Qatar and represent India at the inauguration of the FIFA World Cup 2022, the Ministry of External Affairs said in a statement on Friday.

India and Qatar enjoy close and friendly relations with multifaceted partnership extending to areas of trade, energy, security, defence, health, culture, education, among others.

In the last financial year, bilateral trade crossed US $15 billion. Qatar plays an important partner in India’s energy security and India participates in Qatar’s food security.

Next year, both countries will be celebrating 50 years of establishment of full diplomatic relations.

People to people ties form an important element of bilateral relationship with over 840,000 Indians in Qatar.

During his visit, besides attending the inaugural ceremony on November 20, Vice President Dhankhar will also interact with the members of the Indian community, said the MEA.

Vice President Dhankhar’s visit would be an opportunity to join a close and friendly country Qatar as it hosts a major sporting event and to acknowledge the role played and support extended by Indians in this World Cup.