| Issue 6
Qatar and India
Centuries of cultural
connections
From the pearl trade to energy security, Mr P Kumaran, Ambassador
of India to the State of Qatar, explains the historic and increasingly
important ties between Qatar and India.
A
s the Kathak dancers bring their dazzling
p performance to a close, the audience erupts into
rapturous applause, a symbol of a true partnership
between two countries: India and Qatar.
The Rhythmic Expressions performance, organised
by the Embassy of India in Doha, the Katara Cultural
Village, and Qatar Museums, is one of the centrepieces
of the 2019 Qatar–India Year of Culture. It celebrates
the historic links between the two nations and pays
tribute to India’s rich cultural diversity.
Following the performance before VIP guests, Mr
Kumaran, Ambassador of India to the State of Qatar,
explains: “This is a very important event. We host many
each year, in fact my ambassador friends joke that I am
in the newspapers all the time.
“But this year is special – and we are already off to a
flying-start. We have many celebrations to mark the Year
of Culture, from Bollywood music and dance, to film
festivals and painting and photography exhibitions. We
have tried to showcase a little of everything.”
This includes “the mega musical performance” by the
Oscar award-winning Indian composer, A.R. Rahman.
50
In front of a crowd of 30,000 at Khalifa Stadium, the
performance was the largest ever musical event in Qatar.
Why is this year so important to Indians and Qataris
alike? There are over 700,000 Indians living in Qatar, the
largest expatriate group in the country.
Mr Kumaran says: “The Indian community has made a
significant contribution to the growth and development
of Qatar. This has acted as a force-multiplier in
strengthening economic and commercial linkages over
the years, with around 6,000 Indian joint business
ventures operating in Qatar and Indian nationals
working virtually in every sector of the economy.”
India and Qatar have deep-rooted ties, nurtured through
history, he explains: “Trade and investment bring the
two countries together. Historically, we have been united
through the pearl trade, the construction of dhows and
traditional boats, the trade of spices and textiles, and
people-to-people links over the years.”
These links helped build two strong nations, expanding
trade and creating personal relationships. “Ships used
to go from the Gulf region to the west coast of India,”
he says. “They would carry riches such as pearls and
Arabian horses to India.