Union Minister for Finance & Corporate Affairs Smt. @nsitharaman addressed the Qatari Businessmen Association (QBA) Business Roundtable in Doha, Qatar, today. The Indian side highlighted India’s strong structural growth momentum, with Real GDP growth accelerating to 7.8% in the 1st quarter of FY26, Investment growing by 11.9%, amid global uncertainty underscoring the resilience of the Indian economy. The recent upgrade by Japan Credit Rating (JCR) of India’s long-term issuer rating from BBB+ to A- was also highlighted as a reflection of confidence in India’s ongoing structural reforms. India also recorded its highest-ever annual gross FDI inflow of $94.53 billion in FY26, the highest in the past 15 years. During the interaction, the Union Finance Minister discussed emerging economic opportunities in both nations and encouraged @QBA_Qatar to actively explore trade and investment partnerships to further strengthen bilateral economic ties.

Union Minister for Finance & Corporate Affairs Smt. @nsitharaman met Dr. Ahmad bin Mohammed Al-Sayed, Qatar Minister of State for Foreign Trade @MOCIQatar, on the sidelines of the AIIB 2026 Annual Meeting in Doha, Qatar, today. Dr. Ahmad bin Mohammed Al-Sayed warmly recalled his visit to India in 2025 and observed that there was considerable scope for investment in India in several infrastructure sectors including ports, airports, highways and power, and opportunities for Indian companies to invest in Qatar in areas including food security, pharmaceuticals, petrochemicals, education, health and start-ups. FM Smt. @nsitharaman conveyed that India attaches high importance to enhancing trade and investment with Qatar, noting the elevation of bilateral ties to a “strategic partnership” during the State Visit of H.H. the Amir of Qatar in February 2025. She highlighted trade and investment as important pillars for adding strategic dimensions to the relationship. The Union Finance Minister emphasised the importance of restoring normal trade between India and Qatar and other Gulf countries, including unimpeded maritime navigation and commerce through the Strait of Hormuz. They also discussed the implementation of the $10 billion Qatari investment commitment and establishment of a QIA office in India. They both expressed keen interest in completing the Bilateral Investment Treaty with Qatar, for which they decided on accelerated engagement, as well as the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) negotiations.

Union Minister for Finance & Corporate Affairs Smt. @nsitharaman met H.E. Mr. Ali bin Ahmed Al Kuwari, Qatar’s Minister of Finance @MoF_Qatar, on the sidelines of the AIIB 2026 Annual Meeting in Doha, Qatar, today. The Union Finance Minister appreciated the excellent arrangements for the AIIB Annual Meeting. She recalled India’s recent engagements with Qatar’s leadership which elevated India-Qatar bilateral relations to a “strategic partnership”. H.E. Mr. Ali bin Ahmed Al Kuwari thanked the Indian community for being part of the success story of Qatar. He looked forward to bigger opportunities for strengthening trade, finance and investment relations between the two countries. The leaders discussed expansion of Indian UPI payments across Qatar; implementation of $10 billion Qatari investment commitment in India; engagement with National Infrastructure and Investment Fund @NIIFIndia; and finalisation of the Bilateral Investment Treaty. They also discussed the Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement as a strengthened framework for trade, investment and tax certainty.

Union Minister for Finance & Corporate Affairs Smt. @nsitharaman met Ms. Zou Jiayi, President, Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank @AIIB_Official, on the sidelines of the AIIB 2026 Annual Meeting in Doha, Qatar, today. President @AIIB_Official congratulated the Union Finance Minister on the successful BRICS Leaders' Summit in New Delhi. The Union Finance Minister congratulated AIIB on its strong performance in the first half of the year. She conveyed India's support for the Bank's 2027 budget plans and focus areas for scaling up operations. Both the leaders discussed the robust pipeline of AIIB's projects in India and expanding the global presence of AIIB, including in India. Recalling her last visit to project sites in Delhi and Meerut, President AIIB said that the bank will continue financing projects for people, urban development and environmental protection. The Union Finance Minister said AIIB could further expand beyond physical infrastructure financing to include newer infrastructure that focuses on AI, MSMEs, and skilling. FM noted that MSMEs are the backbone of India's economy, and assistance for AI adaptability and manpower training can help MSMEs. FM Smt. @nsitharaman reiterated that the Bank's regional centrality should continue to remain a defining institutional characteristic and an important anchor of its mandate.

Union Minister for Finance & Corporate Affairs Smt. @nsitharaman had a pull-aside meeting with Shri @SwarnimWagle, Minister of Finance @mofnepal, Nepal, on the sidelines of the AIIB 2026 Annual Meeting in Doha, Qatar, today. Both the Ministers were pleased to meet again and noted the opportunity to follow up on the discussions held during their meeting in New Delhi. The discussions covered Nepal’s assessment and priorities for reconstruction and recovery following the floods, with emphasis on continued engagement between the teams to work out the specifics of any support that India can provide at this critical time. The Ministers also discussed the progress of projects taken up during the New Delhi meeting and emphasised the need for continued engagement. The early operationalisation and utilisation of the UPI-NPI linkage was also discussed as an initiative beneficial to both countries.

Union Minister for Finance & Corporate Affairs Smt. @nsitharaman met H.E. Mr. @MAAljadaan, Minister of Finance (@MOFKSA), Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, on the sidelines of the AIIB 2026 Annual Meeting in Doha, Qatar, today. H.E. Mr. @MAAljadaan congratulated the Union Finance Minister on India's robust economic performance and improving investment climate, and shared his perspective on the Saudi economy. The Union Finance Minister conveyed that Saudi Arabia is India’s trusted and valued strategic partners and highlighted the wide-ranging partnership between the two countries across defence, security, trade, investment, energy, technology, healthcare, education, culture and people-to-people exchanges. Both the Ministers welcomed the successful conclusion of negotiations on the India-Saudi Arabia Bilateral Investment Treaty (BIT), which will provide a stronger and more predictable framework for bilateral investments and further strengthen investor confidence. H.E. Mr. @MAAljadaan said that Saudi Arabia looks forward to its early implementation. Recalling the Prime Minister Shri @narendramodi’s vision expressed during his state visit to Saudi Arabia, both the Ministers discussed further strengthening the strategic partnership between the two countries. H.E. Mr. @MAAljadaan expressed keen interest in welcoming investments from India. @IndianEmbRiyadh

Union Minister for Finance & Corporate Affairs Smt. @nsitharaman met Ambassador Mr. Pietro Lazzeri, AIIB Governor from Switzerland @SECO_CH, on the sidelines of the AIIB 2026 Annual Meeting in Doha, Qatar, today. FM Smt. @nsitharaman highlighted the National Investment and Infrastructure Fund @NIIFIndia as a trusted partner for foreign investors seeking to access opportunities in India, with high standards of governance and transparency; and Swiss investors could explore NIIF infrastructure funds to gain exposure to India's infrastructure sector. Ambassador Mr. Lazzeri said that Switzerland sees significant opportunities in India for portfolio diversification and investment. He mentioned the upcoming State Visit to India and the 2nd EFTA Prosperity Summit in New Delhi. He said Swiss Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) growth in India is outpacing global FDI, and sought support for finalisation of the Bilateral Investment Protection Agreement. Ambassador Mr. Lazzeri also expressed interest in cooperation in the financial sector and sustainable finance. The Union Finance Minister encouraged Swiss investors and financial services entities to explore investment opportunities in India's homegrown financial services centre in GIFT IFSC, which offers financial services and products, tax benefits and a business-friendly environment.

Union Minister for Finance & Corporate Affairs Smt. @nsitharaman met H.E. Ms. Zeina Zeid Toukan @MoPIC_Jordan on the sidelines of the AIIB 2026 Annual Meeting in Doha, Qatar, today. The two Ministers discussed strengthening bilateral cooperation between India and Jordan spanning various fields, particularly food security, fertilisers, trade and investment. The Union Finance Minister noted that India is the fourth largest trading partner for Jordan and highlighted the target of enhancing bilateral trade to $5 billion by 2030. H.E. Ms. Zeina Zeid Toukan said that India is a critical market for Jordan and that Jordan is keen to continue and strengthen cooperation in many sectors including fertilizers, energy, water and infrastructure projects, and looked forward to more investment opportunities in Jordan.

Union Minister for Finance & Corporate Affairs Smt. @nsitharaman was welcomed upon her arrival by Shri @srikar_koppula, Ambassador of India to Qatar, at Hamad International Airport in Doha today. The Union Finance Minister is scheduled to participate in the 11th Annual Meeting of the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) and the AIIB Investors Dialogue 2026 in Doha over the next two days. #AIIB2026