Union Minister of Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal will visit Doha, Qatar, from 6–7 October 2025 to co-chair the meeting of the Qatar–India Joint Commission on Trade and Commerce, the Ministry of Commerce and Industry said in an official release on Sunday, October 5. The meeting will be jointly chaired by H.E. Sheikh Faisal bin Thani bin Faisal Al Thani, Qatar’s Minister of Commerce and Industry.
According to the Ministry, the visit highlights India’s continued focus on strengthening its trade and investment partnership with Qatar, a key trading partner within the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC). Bilateral trade between the two countries crossed USD 14 billion in 2024-25, making Qatar one of India’s leading suppliers of natural gas and a major investment destination for Indian businesses.
Focus on expanding trade and investment
This will be Goyal’s first official visit to Qatar, where both sides will review the current state of bilateral trade, address market access and non-tariff issues, and discuss ways to boost investment flows across sectors.
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Talks are also expected to cover progress on the proposed India–Qatar Free Trade Agreement (FTA) and the Terms of Reference (ToR) for the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA). The proposed pact aims to enhance trade liberalisation, promote joint ventures, and open new opportunities for businesses in both countries.
The Ministry said discussions will also cover cooperation in finance, agriculture, environment, tourism, culture, and healthcare, as part of a broader effort to strengthen the multifaceted partnership.
Business engagement and delegation meetings
A high-level business delegation will accompany the minister for the first meeting of the India–Qatar Joint Business Council. Industry representatives will engage with Qatari counterparts, including the Qatar Chamber, Qatar Financial Centre, Invest Qatar, and the Qatar Free Zones Authority.
On the sidelines, Goyal will meet leading Qatari businessmen, senior officials, and members of the Qatari Businessmen Association. He is also expected to interact with professionals and industry members from the Doha Chapter of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) and the Indian Business and Professionals Council (IBPC) in Qatar.
The Ministry said these meetings will help connect Indian industries with Qatari investors and identify areas for collaboration in energy, infrastructure, and technology.
Building on recent progress
India and Qatar have been working to elevate their trade dialogue over the past year. The first meeting of the India–Qatar Joint Working Group (JWG) on Trade and Commerce was held in July 2024, followed by the visit of the Amir of Qatar to India in February 2025, when both sides agreed to upgrade the JWG to a Joint Commission at the ministerial level.
Officials said the decision to institutionalise the commission demonstrates mutual confidence in the long-term growth potential of the partnership, particularly in energy security, technology exchange, and investment cooperation.
Strengthening a strategic partnership
Qatar is among India’s top energy suppliers, meeting a significant part of its liquefied natural gas (LNG) demand. Indian companies have also increased their presence in Qatar’s infrastructure, construction, and services sectors in recent years.
The Doha meeting, the Ministry said, will aim to build on these strengths and chart a roadmap for future collaboration under the CEPA framework. Goyal’s discussions are expected to reinforce India’s commitment to building sustainable, diversified, and forward-looking trade ties with Qatar and the wider Gulf region.
