PM Modi calls Qatar Emir, mourns passing of Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani
Synopsis
India's diplomatic response to the death of Qatar's Father Amir was swift and layered — a ministerial visit to Doha, a prime ministerial phone call, and a national day of mourning with flags at half-mast. The outreach signals how central the India-Qatar relationship — built significantly during Sheikh Hamad's rule — remains to New Delhi's Gulf strategy.
Key Takeaways
PM Narendra Modi called Qatar Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani on 16 July to convey condolences on the death of the Father Amir.
Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani passed away on 12 July at the age of 74 .
Union Minister Kiren Rijiju travelled to Qatar earlier in the week to personally deliver India's condolences.
India declared one day of national mourning; the national flag flew at half-mast at Rashtrapati Bhavan and other buildings in New Delhi .
Sheikh Hamad ruled Qatar from 1995 to 2013 and is credited with deepening the India-Qatar Strategic Partnership .
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday, 16 July spoke by phone with Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, the Amir of Qatar, conveying India's condolences on the passing of the Father Amir, Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, who died on 12 July at the age of 74. The call underscored the depth of the India-Qatar Strategic Partnership at a moment of national grief for the Gulf nation.
What Modi Said
In a post on X, Prime Minister Modi wrote: 'Spoke with H.H. Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, the Amir of Qatar and conveyed heartfelt condolences on the passing of H.H. the Father Amir, Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani. Recalled his deep affection for India, his warmth towards the Indian community in Qatar and his steadfast commitment to India-Qatar relations. His enduring legacy will continue to guide our two countries as we further strengthen our Strategic Partnership.'
India's Diplomatic Response
Before the Prime Minister's call, Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju had already travelled to Qatar earlier in the week to personally convey India's condolences. Rijiju met with Sheikh Tamim, the Qatari Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, and other senior dignitaries in Doha.
In his own post on X, Rijiju wrote: 'On behalf of the Government of India, Hon'ble PM Shri Narendra Modi ji and the people of India, I conveyed deepest condolences to HH the Amir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani on the sad demise of Father Amir of Qatar HH Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani.' He described the late leader as 'a visionary leader who nurtured the historic India-Qatar friendship that has since transformed into a strategic partnership.'
National Mourning Declared
India declared one day of national mourning following the death of Sheikh Hamad. The national flag at Rashtrapati Bhavan and other government buildings across New Delhi flew at half-mast on Monday as a mark of respect. The gesture reflects the significance Qatar holds in India's foreign policy calculus — the Gulf state is home to one of the largest Indian expatriate communities in the world.
Sheikh Hamad's Legacy and India Ties
Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani ruled Qatar from 1995 until his abdication in 2013, a period during which India-Qatar ties were significantly deepened. Trade, energy cooperation, and the welfare of the large Indian community in Qatar were central pillars of that relationship. His tenure saw Qatar emerge as a major supplier of liquefied natural gas to India and a key destination for Indian workers in the Gulf region.
As India and Qatar look to further consolidate their Strategic Partnership, the diplomatic outreach from New Delhi — at both ministerial and prime ministerial levels — signals that bilateral ties are expected to remain strong under the continued leadership of Sheikh Tamim.
Point of View
A ministerial visit to Doha, and a prime ministerial phone call — is calibrated diplomacy, not routine protocol. Qatar is not just a bilateral partner; it is a critical node in India's Gulf strategy, home to a large Indian diaspora and a major LNG supplier. The speed and seniority of India's outreach also reflects the sensitivity around the eight Indian Navy veterans whose death-row commutation in Qatar was secured after months of quiet diplomacy in 2024. Keeping Doha onside under Sheikh Tamim's continued leadership is a strategic imperative, and New Delhi is making that visible.
NationPress
16 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani?
Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani was Qatar's former Amir who ruled from 1995 until his abdication in 2013. He passed away on 12 July at the age of 74 and is credited with transforming Qatar into a major regional power and deepening its ties with India.
Why did PM Modi call Qatar's Amir?
Prime Minister Narendra Modi called Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani on 16 July to personally convey India's condolences on the death of the Father Amir, Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani. Modi recalled Sheikh Hamad's affection for India and his contributions to the India-Qatar Strategic Partnership.
Did India declare national mourning for Sheikh Hamad?
Yes, India declared one day of national mourning following the death of Sheikh Hamad. The national flag flew at half-mast at Rashtrapati Bhavan and other government buildings across New Delhi as a mark of respect.
Who is Kiren Rijiju and why did he visit Qatar?
Kiren Rijiju is India's Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister. He travelled to Qatar earlier in the week of 16 July to personally convey India's condolences to the Qatari Amir and other senior officials on behalf of the Government of India and Prime Minister Modi.
What is the significance of India-Qatar relations?
Qatar is one of India's key Gulf partners, serving as a major supplier of liquefied natural gas and home to one of the largest Indian expatriate communities in the world. The two countries elevated their ties to a Strategic Partnership during Sheikh Hamad's era, and both sides have signalled intent to strengthen them further.
