India and Qatar have agreed to accelerate talks on a Bilateral Investment Treaty (BIT) and a Free Trade Agreement (FTA), while also advancing Qatar’s proposed USD 10 billion investment in India. The two countries also discussed plans to establish a Qatar Investment Authority (QIA) office in India, the Ministry of Finance said.

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman held discussions with Qatar’s Minister of State for Foreign Trade, Ahmad bin Mohammed Al-Sayed, on the sidelines of the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) 2026 Annual Meeting in Doha. The talks focused on strengthening trade and investment ties between the two countries.

Qatar highlighted investment opportunities in India’s ports, airports, highways and power sectors. The two sides also discussed opportunities for Indian companies in Qatar across food security, pharmaceuticals, petrochemicals, education, healthcare and start-ups.

The officials reviewed the implementation of Qatar’s USD 10 billion investment commitment and the proposed establishment of a QIA office in India. Both sides expressed interest in completing the Bilateral Investment Treaty and agreed to accelerate engagement on the pact. They also agreed to step up negotiations for a Free Trade Agreement.

Sitharaman stressed the need to restore normal trade between India, Qatar and other Gulf countries. She also highlighted the importance of unimpeded maritime navigation and commerce through the Strait of Hormuz.

Separately, Sitharaman addressed the Qatari Businessmen Association (QBA) Business Roundtable in Doha. The Indian side highlighted the country’s economic growth and investment opportunities while engaging with Qatari businesses.

The Ministry of Finance said India’s real GDP growth accelerated to 7.8 per cent in the first quarter of FY26, while investment grew 11.9 per cent. The Ministry also highlighted Japan Credit Rating’s recent upgrade of India’s long-term issuer rating from BBB+ to A-. It described the upgrade as a reflection of confidence in India’s ongoing structural reforms.

India recorded its highest-ever annual gross Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) inflow of USD 94.53 billion in FY26, the Ministry said. It added that the figure was the highest recorded in the past 15 years.

During the interaction, Sitharaman discussed emerging economic opportunities in both countries and encouraged Qatari businesses to explore trade and investment partnerships with India to further strengthen bilateral economic ties.