Qatar and India will fight together to “eliminate the global menace” of international terrorism, both states have said in a joint agreement following the visit of India’s prime minster to Doha.
Narendra Modi concluded his two-day official visit to Qatar yesterday, and following a meeting with Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, the two leaders issued a lengthy, 38-point joint statement.
The men signed seven agreements in the fields of health, tourism, youth and sport and infrastructure, in addition to other deals that covered energy and financial services.
These aimed to “consolidate the bonds of cooperation and friendship,” QNA reported the statement as saying.
India was also announced as the partner for the year of culture in Qatar in 2019.
Workers’ rights
When Modi arrived in Qatar on Saturday night, he pledged to push for improvements to “rules” for workers.
While the joint agreement does not detail any new, prospective changes to labor rights in the country, Indian government spokesman Amar Sinha said the two leader did discuss “the Indian diaspora in Qatar, their living conditions, security and general welfare,” the Peninsula reported.
Modi tweeted about the agreements, which he said took Qatar and India’s relationship beyond trade deals.
Crucial agreements were signed today, which will give new strength to India-Qatar ties. pic.twitter.com/a3EUPXwz3I
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) June 5, 2016
Indians comprise the largest demographic group in Qatar and work across many industries here, including construction, healthcare and finance.
‘Global menace’
Terrorism appeared to be a key topic of discussion among the Emir and Modi.
Both nations have condemned violence and pledged to do more to tackle terrorism internationally, which was described in the statement as being a “global menace which threatens all nations and societies.”
“The two sides condemned all acts of violence, terrorism and extremism, whatever their motives, reasons and justifications in all their forms and manifestations, reaffirming that terrorism shall not be linked to any religion, culture or ethnic groups.
The two sides focused on the need to isolate sponsors and supporters of terrorism and agreed on the need to take urgent action against all those entities that support terrorism and use it as a tool to implement their objectives,” the agreement said.
Doing this requires a comprehensive approach that includes “fighting against intolerance, violent extremism and the recruitment of individuals; impeding terrorist movements’ activities and draining all terrorist financing sources; stopping the flow of foreign terrorists, militants; dismantling terrorism infrastructure and fighting the propaganda over the internet,” the statement continued.
There will also be greater cooperation in cyber-security and counter-terrorism operations, including intelligence sharing and anti-money laundering initiatives.
Tourism
Meanwhile, the leaders also pledged to improve existing trade relations and make business between India and Qatar easier by speeding up the process for getting business and tourist visas for nationals from the two countries.
There will also be increased foreign direct investment in areas including rail, defense and insurance.
Defense relations will be enhanced with joint exercises planned and India pledging to organize special training programs for members of Qatar’s Coast Guard and armed forces, in India and in Qatar.
Maritime security in the “crucial” GCC and Indian Ocean regions will also be intensified, the statement added.
During Modi’s visit, he also met with school children and members of the 630,000-strong Indian community in Qatar. Earlier in the day, he held talks with Qatari business leaders.
You can see full details of the joint statement here.
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