Indian ambassador Dr Deepak Mittal has said efforts are being made to further strengthen bilateral ties between Qatar and India. 
Addressing the media at the embassy on Sunday, the envoy said India is looking to enhance co-operation with Qatar in various sectors, including business, exports, health, pharmaceuticals, IT and energy.
“Some 45-50% of India’s energy requirements come from Qatar. We are looking to further explore the sector,” Dr Mittal said, referring to a recent meeting in which HE the Minister of State for Energy Affairs and Qatar Petroleum President and CEO Saad Sherida al-Kaabi held discussions with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on various aspects of India’s energy sector.
Dr Mittal also noted that the embassy has chalked out a slew of measures to ensure the welfare of Indian citizens in Qatar. “The embassy and Indian Community Benevolent Forum on Saturday organised a special consular camp at Asian Town where passport and attestation services were provided to Indian workers here,” he said, adding that such camps would be held on the first Friday of every month at Asian Town while separate consular camps would be initiated in different parts of the country to provide passport and consular services to Indian nationals.
He noted that a total of 511 attestation services were rendered to community members during the camp that was held on the embassy premises on November 21.
According to him, embassy officials are holding visits to jails and detention centres where they speak to Indian citizens. “Every step is taken to ensure the jail inhabitants' welfare during Covid-19. The embassy’s legal wing is providing assistance to all those who are in need. Further, we are taking steps with the authorities to help them get amnesty,” he said, adding the authorities concerned in Qatar are very co-operative in this regard.
Dr Mittal, who praised the recent reforms by the Ministry of Administrative Development, Labour and Social Affairs, said the ministry is extending support to the embassy in ensuring the welfare of workers.
Community organisations were lauded by the ambassador, who said their role is pivotal in ensuring the welfare of Indian citizens.
On the issue of academics, the envoy said the country will get two more Indian schools. More details will be available later.
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