India, Qatar form strategic partnership

• India and Qatar sign agreement to elevate India-Qatar relationship to strategic partnership.

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi and visiting Emir Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al-Thani discuss issues like Israel-Palestine conflict and potential Free Trade Agreement (FTA).

• The strategic partnership aims to deepen cooperation in trade, investment, energy, security, regional and international fora.

• A double taxation avoidance treaty was signed.

• India is considering a bilateral FTA with Qatar as discussions for an India-GCC FTA continue.

• The strategic partnership will include a security component, but a timeline is not yet defined.

• Bilateral trade to double to $28 billion.

• Challenges include the custody of former Indian Navy commander Purnendu Tiwary in Qatar.