PM Modi receives grand welcome by Indian diaspora in Qatar

PM Modi in Doha, Qatar. Pic / X @PM Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi received a grand welcome by Indian diaspora in Doha, Qatar. PM Modi arrived in Doha on Wednesday night for an official visit.

PM Modi on Thursday expressed his gratitude to the Indians in Qatar and Qatari officials for his exception welcome. "An exceptional welcome in Doha! Grateful to the Indian diaspora," Modi posted on X. On Wednesday after landing in Doha, PM Modi said that had a meeting with the Foreign Affairs Minister of Qatar, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani and their discussions revolved around ways to boost India-Qatar friendship.

This is the prime minister's second visit to Qatar, he first visited Qatar in June 2016. Several community members, including from the Muslim Bohra community, welcomed Modi on his arrival here.

Modi, in his departure statement on Tuesday, had said the presence of over 8,00,000-strong Indian community in Doha is a 'testament to our strong people-to-people ties.'

On Thursday, the prime minister will meet the Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani and hold talks on bilateral ties as well as regional and global issues, the ministry said in a press release.

The Prime Minister is visiting Doha days after seven out of eight jailed former Indian Navy personnel returned home, nearly three-and-half months after a Qatari court handed them a death sentence that was subsequently commuted to jail terms ranging from three to 25 years.

Qatar later released all eight Indians. The former Indian Navy personnel apparently faced charges of espionage, but neither the Qatari authorities nor New Delhi made the charges against them public.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday inaugurated Abu Dhabi's first Hindu stone temple amid devotional chants and in the presence of spiritual leaders of the Swaminarayan sect. Earlier, Modi met people from different faiths who contributed to the construction of the first Hindu stone temple here.

Prime Minister Modi was in the UAE on a two-day visit, his seventh visit to the Emirates since 2015 and his third in the last eight months.

(With inputs from agencies)