Overview
- Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal said both sides will quickly launch CEPA/FTA negotiations after agreeing on the broad contours of the terms of reference.
- The two governments set a political objective to lift bilateral trade to $30 billion by 2030, from $14.15 billion in FY25.
- Officials highlighted the energy‑skewed trade deficit for India and pointed to opportunities in services and sectors such as food, renewables, data centres, AI, tourism and pharmaceuticals.
- India’s UPI went live in Qatar at Lulu Mall on The Pearl, with Qatar National Bank point‑of‑sale terminals to support transactions.
- Qatar’s $10 billion investment plan progressed, with $4–5 billion already invested, $1–1.5 billion nearing finalisation, and QDB indicating financing guarantees for joint third‑country projects; the new Joint Business Council held its first meeting.