New Delhi, July 14 (HS): Union Minister for Parliamentary Affairs and Minority Affairs Kiren Rijiju on Tuesday departed for Doha to convey the condolences of the Government of India and the people of India on the demise of former Emir of Qatar Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani.

Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said in a post on X that Rijiju will convey India's sympathies during his visit to Qatar on behalf of the Government and the people of India.

Jaiswal described Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani as a visionary leader who played a pivotal role in shaping modern Qatar. He said the former Emir was a close friend of India whose contribution to strengthening India-Qatar relations would always be remembered.

He noted that Sheikh Hamad played a key role in taking bilateral cooperation between the two countries to new heights, particularly in the areas of energy, trade, investment and people-to-people ties, thereby giving a strong impetus to the India-Qatar partnership.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar