India and Qatar accelerate talks on Bilateral Investment Treaty and Free Trade Agreement amidst USD 10 billion investment

India and Qatar have agreed to expedite bilateral investment treaty (BIT) negotiations and free trade agreement (FTA) negotiations, while simultaneously working to accelerate the opening of a Qatar Investment Authority (QIA) office in India and the implementation of the Qatar's investment commitment of USD 10 billion, the Ministry of Finance said.

The Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) 2026 Annual Meeting, which was held in the Qatari capital of Doha, saw the finance minister speak with Minister of State for Foreign Trade of Qatar, Ahmad bin Mohammed Al-Sayed on the sidelines, the ministry said in a post on X.

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The two sides also reviewed investment opportunities in key sectors. Qatar highlighted opportunities in India’s ports, airports, highways and power sectors, while Indian companies could explore sectors such as food security, pharmaceuticals, petrochemicals, education, healthcare and start-ups in Qatar.

The ministry said both sides discussed the “implementation of the USD 10 billion Qatari investment commitment and establishment of a QIA office in India.”

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They also “expressed keen interest in completing the Bilateral Investment Treaty with Qatar, for which they decided on accelerated engagement, as well as the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) negotiations.”

FM Sitharaman also called for the restoration of normal trade flows between India, Qatar and other Gulf countries. She stressed the importance of unimpeded maritime navigation and commerce through the Strait of Hormuz.

Separately, Sitharaman addressed the Qatari Businessmen Association (QBA) Business Roundtable in Doha, where India highlighted its economic performance and investment opportunities.

India’s real GDP growth reached 7.8% in the first quarter of FY26, while investment grew 11.9%, the ministry said. It said the figures reflected the resilience of the Indian economy amid global uncertainty.

The ministry also highlighted Japan Credit Rating’s (JCR) upgrade of India’s long-term issuer rating from BBB+ to A-. “The recent upgrade by Japan Credit Rating (JCR) of India’s long-term issuer rating from BBB+ to A- was also highlighted as a reflection of confidence in India’s ongoing structural reforms,” the ministry said.

India recorded its “highest-ever” annual gross FDI inflow of USD 94.53 billion in FY26, which the ministry said was the highest level in 15 years.

During the business roundtable, Sitharaman discussed emerging economic opportunities in India and Qatar and urged Qatari companies to explore trade and investment partnerships with India to deepen bilateral economic ties.