New Indian envoy vows to deepen partnership with Qatar; prioritises community welfare

Dr K Srikar Reddy, India's newly appointed ambassador to Qatar, has vowed to strengthen ties between the two nations while prioritizing the well-being of the Indian community residing in Qatar. At a reception organized by the Indian embassy and other Indian organizations in Qatar, Reddy emphasized the potential for growth in various sectors, such as renewable energy, green hydrogen, digital public infrastructure, artificial intelligence, fintech, and space.

He highlighted that India and Qatar have long-standing ties rooted in civilizational contacts, maritime trade, and people-to-people relations that have expanded in recent years across trade, investment, energy, healthcare, education, culture, and tourism. Reddy also noted that India sees Qatar as a crucial partner in achieving its ambition of becoming a developed nation by 2047.

The ambassador placed strong emphasis on the role of the Indian community in strengthening bilateral ties, describing them as "living bridges" between the two countries. He praised the community's hard work, discipline, innovation, and law-abiding nature, stating that they have made significant contributions to Qatar's development across sectors such as healthcare, education, engineering, technology, and construction.

Reddy's priority is to address the welfare needs of the Indian community, particularly vulnerable members, through improved consular services and working closely with community organizations. He has already taken steps to increase daily appointment slots for consular services at the Indian Cultural Centre and Indian Community Benevolent Forum.