India, Qatar Advance FTA Talks, UPI Launch

Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal visited Doha Oct 6–7, co‑chaired the India–Qatar Joint Commission, and met the CEO of Qatar Development Bank to invite Qatari investment in startups, MSMEs and innovation. He launched India’s UPI at Lulu Hypermarket and enabled UPI on Qatar National Bank POS terminals to simplify payments for Indian travelers and facilitate cross‑border commerce. India and Qatar aim to double bilateral trade from $14.15 billion in FY25 to about $30 billion by 2030 and reaffirmed pursuing an ambitious CEPA/FTA, with terms of reference expected to be finalized. Bilateral trade in FY25 was $14.15 billion and remains heavily skewed to energy: India has a $10.78 billion deficit as nearly 90% of imports from Qatar were petroleum and gas, while exports were $1.68 billion. Officials urged diversifying into electronics, autos, pharmaceuticals, processed food, textiles, gems and jewellery, IT, high‑tech manufacturing and solar, and pursuing joint ventures in energy infrastructure and technology as India seeks new markets amid US tariff pressures and to deepen energy and economic ties with Qatar.