Business
India looks to Qatar for long-term LNG supply security, says envoy
India’s top diplomat in Doha has expressed optimism that Qatar’s substantial liquefied natural gas (LNG) exports will meet the South Asian nation’s future energy requirements, supporting its expanding economy and ensuring a stable LNG supply.
"The strides being made by India provide great opportunities for increasing trade between our two countries,” said Indian ambassador Vipul during the ‘IBPC Annual Connect 2026’ hosted recently by the Indian Business and Professional Council (IBPC) Qatar.
The ambassador described energy trade as the backbone of India-Qatar relations, noting that bilateral trade volume in 2023-2024 stood at about "$14bn”. India imports nearly "$6 to 6.5bn” worth of LNG annually from Qatar, alongside "$3bn” in LPG and other petrochemical products, Vipul noted, adding that these supplies are secured through long-term agreements that provide stability amid global market volatility.
A landmark deal worth "$78bn” will extend LNG co-operation for another "20 years beyond 2028”, ensuring continuity in India’s energy basket. "This agreement reflects the trust and strategic depth of our partnership,” said Vipul, emphasising Qatar’s reliability as a supplier.
The ambassador also placed these energy flows in the wider context of bilateral commerce.
"As I said, our bilateral trade is about $14bn, and during the visit of His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani to India, both sides agreed that we should have the goal of doubling our bilateral trade by 2030,” he said, acknowledging that the target of "$30bn” may be ambitious but insisted there is "ground for us to be optimistic about”.
India’s energy needs are projected to rise sharply as the country pursues its Viksit Bharat 2047 vision of becoming a developed economy, the ambassador pointed out. He emphasised that natural gas is expected to play a central role in India’s transition to a cleaner energy mix, supporting manufacturing, infrastructure, and green growth.
Qatar, meanwhile, is positioning itself as a cornerstone of India’s energy security, Vipul emphasised, reiterating that the long-term contracts between the two countries provide stability at a time when global energy markets remain turbulent.
Vipul stressed that, beyond hydrocarbons, opportunities exist in renewables, infrastructure, healthcare, technology, and startups; however, LNG will remain the anchor of bilateral economic ties. "Our long-term energy co-operation is not just about numbers; it is about building a future of shared prosperity,” he said.
The ambassador lauded Qatar’s continuous expansion of its LNG production capacity, amid India’s goals to diversify its energy imports and secure affordable supplies for its fast-growing economy.
Vipul also noted that both nations have agreed to strengthen institutional mechanisms, including a Joint Business Council and a revived Joint Commission on Economic and Commercial Co-operation, to support the trade and investment agenda.