ID :
29557
Tue, 11/11/2008 - 14:58
Auther :
Shortlink :
http://m.oananews.org//node/29557
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India, Qatar ink key defence cooperation pact By Ammar Zaidi
Doha, Nov 10 (PTI) Taking bilateral ties to a new high,
India and Qatar have signed a landmark defence cooperation
pact, described by officials as an agreement "just short of
stationing troops" in the oil-rich Gulf region.
Within hours of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's touchdown
here last evening on the second leg of his three-day maiden
visit to the Gulf, the two sides signed agreements on defence
and security, dealing with key areas like maritime security,
intelligence sharing on terrorism, money laundering and
transnational crime.
The defence cooperation pact addresses security concerns
of Qatar and seeks to safeguard India's interest, officials
said.
"The agreement is just short of stationing troops (in the
region)," a top Indian official said.
Joint training exercises, training of personnel and
maritime cooperation are highlights of the landmark pact inked
by Defence Secretary Vijay Singh and his Qatari counterpart
Sunday evening after Singh led delegation-level talks with his
counterpart Sheikh Hamad bin Jassim bin Jabor al Thani.
The defence pact lays out a structure for joint maritime
security and training as well as exchange of visits.
Another agreement on law and security enforcement was
signed by Minister of State for External Affairs E. Ahamed and
his Qatari counterpart.
The pact deals with issues such as money laundering and
transnational crimes. It lays out framework for sharing of
information and database on threats posed by extremists and
other security and legal matters, officials said.
The Prime Minister this afternoon called on the Emir of
Qatar Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa al Thani to discuss
wide-ranging issues to further economic, commercial and energy
ties between the two countries. The Emir also hosted a private
lunch for the Prime Minister and his wife Gursharan Kaur.
N. Ravi, Secretary (East), Ministry of External Affairs,
said opportunities of cooperation in education were discussed
between the two sides during the delegation-level talks Sunday
evening.
Western universities have campus in Qatar and New Delhi
may think on the same lines in areas where it is strong --
technology, management and information technology.
The visit of Prime Minister would strengthen economic,
commerce and energy ties.
"The visit symbolises start of new phase of our
relationship," Ravi said, adding talks on importing additional
liquefied natural gas from Qatar also featured during
discussions.
India currently buys five million tonnes a year of L.N.G.
from RasGas of Qatar under a 25-year contract and will get an
additional 2.5 million tonnes under the same long-term
contract from January.
"In the near future, the supply of gas might be
increased," Ravi said.
Petroleum Minister Murli Deora, who joined the high-level
delegation this morning, met Deputy Prime Minister and
Minister of Energy and Industry Abdullah bin Hamad al Attiyah
to discuss the possibility of importing additional L.N.G. to
meet India's growing energy needs. PTI A.N.Z.
NNNN
India and Qatar have signed a landmark defence cooperation
pact, described by officials as an agreement "just short of
stationing troops" in the oil-rich Gulf region.
Within hours of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's touchdown
here last evening on the second leg of his three-day maiden
visit to the Gulf, the two sides signed agreements on defence
and security, dealing with key areas like maritime security,
intelligence sharing on terrorism, money laundering and
transnational crime.
The defence cooperation pact addresses security concerns
of Qatar and seeks to safeguard India's interest, officials
said.
"The agreement is just short of stationing troops (in the
region)," a top Indian official said.
Joint training exercises, training of personnel and
maritime cooperation are highlights of the landmark pact inked
by Defence Secretary Vijay Singh and his Qatari counterpart
Sunday evening after Singh led delegation-level talks with his
counterpart Sheikh Hamad bin Jassim bin Jabor al Thani.
The defence pact lays out a structure for joint maritime
security and training as well as exchange of visits.
Another agreement on law and security enforcement was
signed by Minister of State for External Affairs E. Ahamed and
his Qatari counterpart.
The pact deals with issues such as money laundering and
transnational crimes. It lays out framework for sharing of
information and database on threats posed by extremists and
other security and legal matters, officials said.
The Prime Minister this afternoon called on the Emir of
Qatar Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa al Thani to discuss
wide-ranging issues to further economic, commercial and energy
ties between the two countries. The Emir also hosted a private
lunch for the Prime Minister and his wife Gursharan Kaur.
N. Ravi, Secretary (East), Ministry of External Affairs,
said opportunities of cooperation in education were discussed
between the two sides during the delegation-level talks Sunday
evening.
Western universities have campus in Qatar and New Delhi
may think on the same lines in areas where it is strong --
technology, management and information technology.
The visit of Prime Minister would strengthen economic,
commerce and energy ties.
"The visit symbolises start of new phase of our
relationship," Ravi said, adding talks on importing additional
liquefied natural gas from Qatar also featured during
discussions.
India currently buys five million tonnes a year of L.N.G.
from RasGas of Qatar under a 25-year contract and will get an
additional 2.5 million tonnes under the same long-term
contract from January.
"In the near future, the supply of gas might be
increased," Ravi said.
Petroleum Minister Murli Deora, who joined the high-level
delegation this morning, met Deputy Prime Minister and
Minister of Energy and Industry Abdullah bin Hamad al Attiyah
to discuss the possibility of importing additional L.N.G. to
meet India's growing energy needs. PTI A.N.Z.
NNNN
