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His Excellency the Minister of Culture Sheikh Abdulrahman bin Hamad al-Thani has said that Qatar’s participation in the New Delhi World Book Fair as guest of honour reflects the role of culture and knowledge as bridges for human communication as well as the deep ties between Qatar and India. This came during HE the minister’s participation in the opening of the New Delhi World Book Fair, in the presence of Indian Minister of Education Dharmendra Pradhan; Minister of Culture of Spain, Ernest Urtasun; ambassador of Qatar to India, Mohammed Hassan al-Jaber; and Undersecretary of the Ministry of Culture, Dr Ghanem bin Mubarak al-Ali; along with a lineup of officials, diplomats, and intellectuals. HE the Minister of Culture said that Qatar takes pride in being a guest of honour in this international cultural event that celebrates books as holders of collective memory, fundamental tools for creating awareness, and channels for dialogue and rapprochement among cultures. He expressed his thanks and appreciation for the Indian side’s warm reception and support for Qatar’s participation.**media[403061]**HE Sheikh Abdulrahman added that this participation reflects the strength of bilateral relations that are based on mutual respect and a shared belief in the role of culture and knowledge in interconnecting peoples, noting that investing in knowledge is a fundamental part of advancing societies and consolidating development and national security. HE the minister added that the New Delhi World Book Fair embodies books’ pivotal role in shaping human awareness and building civilisations, something that aligns with Qatar’s vision of supporting reading and the publishing industry, in addition to strengthening the presence of culture in sustainable development. For his part, the Indian minister of education highlighted Qatar’s participation as a guest of honour and said that it reflects the depth of bilateral cultural relations, enriches the book fair’s cultural programme, and boosts cultural and intellectual dialogue between the peoples of India and Qatar.**media[403062]**In turn, the Spanish culture minister said that the event is not limited to showcasing books alone; rather, it represents a vibrant space for the exchange of ideas and expertise, support for the publishing industry, and an encouragement to reading, being an essential part in creating aware societies that are capable of facing future challenges. 

His Excellency the Minister of Culture Sheikh Abdulrahman bin Hamad al-Thani said Qatar's participation in the New Delhi World Book Fair as guest of honour reflects the role of culture and knowledge as bridges for human communication as well as Qatar and India's deep ties. This came during HE the Minister's participation in the opening of the New Delhi World Book Fair, in the presence of India's Minister of Education Dharmendra Pradhan; Spain's Minister of Culture Ernest Urtasun; Qatar's ambassador to India, Mohammed Hassan al-Jabir; and the Undersecretary of the Ministry of Culture, Dr Ghanem bin Mubarak al-Ali, along with a lineup of officials, diplomats, and intellectuals. 

Ambassador of Qatar to India Mohammed bin Hassan al-Jaber has hailed Doha's engagement as guest of honour at this year's New Delhi World Book Fair as a move aimed at strengthening cultural dialogue and knowledge exchange between the Arab world and India.Addressing a press conference Thursday ahead of the fair's opening, al-Jaber said the participation, led by Qatar's Ministry of Culture, highlights the importance of deepening intellectual and cultural co-operation between two ancient civilisations with long traditions of scholarship and learning.The book fair will run from January 10 to 18 and is expected to attract publishers and cultural institutions from more than 35 countries. Al-Jaber said Qatar's involvement reflects its commitment to building bridges between cultures, promoting openness and expanding co-operation in publishing, translation and knowledge production. He added that such engagement helps foster mutual understanding and reinforces the role of culture and reading in connecting societies.The press conference was attended by a delegation from Qatar's Ministry of Culture including Jassim Ahmed al-Buainain, director of the Doha International Book Fair. The delegation outlined the main features of the exhibition, its accompanying cultural and intellectual programs, and the role of international participation in supporting the publishing industry and cultural exchange.Al-Buainain said Qatar's selection as guest of honour underlines its desire to maintain a strong presence at major international cultural events. He noted that Qatar's programme will include participation in panel discussions, translation and publishing rights conferences, and showcases of Qatari publishing houses.He also highlighted the presentation of books translated into Hindi, as well as performances by Qatari folk groups and a broader cultural program designed to reflect the diversity and richness of Qatar's cultural scene. For his part, Director of India's National Book Trust, Yuvraj Malik, has embraced Qatar's engagement as a demonstration of the depth of cultural relations between the two countries and a contributor to strengthening dialogue between India and the Arab world.He said this year's fair features more than 1,000 publishers and over 3,000 exhibition stands, alongside more than 600 cultural and intellectual events, including seminars, panel discussions and programs for children and young people. 

At least eight people were killed in a car explosion near the historic Red Fort in a densely populated area of the Indian capital Delhi Monday, a police spokesperson said, a rare blast in the heavily guarded city of more than 30mn people.The exact cause of the blast is being investigated, said the police spokesperson, Sanjay Tyagi. However, India's financial capital of Mumbai as well as its most populous state of Uttar Pradesh, which borders Delhi, went on high security alert after the blast, local media reported.At least 20 people were injured in the explosion, TV channels reported, as ambulances raced to the scene.Mangled bodies and the wreckage of several cars could be seen on a congested street near a metro station in the old quarter of Delhi, as police poured into the area to secure it and push back gathering crowds.Delhi Police commissioner Satish Golcha said the blast had occurred minutes before 7pm (1330GMT)."A slow-moving vehicle stopped at a red light. An explosion happened in that vehicle, and due to the explosion, nearby vehicles were also damaged," he told reporters.Federal and state investigative agencies are at the site and federal Home Minister Amit Shah has been briefed about the incident, Golcha added.Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his condolences to those who had lost loved ones."May the injured recover at the earliest. Those affected are being assisted by authorities," Modi posted on X, adding that he had reviewed the situation with Shah and other officials.At least six vehicles and three auto-rickshaws caught fire, Delhi's deputy fire chief said later, adding that the flames had been doused by firefighting teams."I was at the metro station, going down the stairs, when I heard an explosion. I turned around and saw a fire. People started running," Suman Mishra, whose husband owns a hotel in a nearby area, said.Wali Ur Rehman said he was sitting at his shop when he heard a loud explosion. "I fell from the impact of the explosion, it was that intense," he told news agency ANI.About 30 to 40 ambulances were near the site of the blast and the entire area was cordoned off after the fire was put out, a witness said, adding that he could see remains of mangled cars and crowds milling around.

Qatar Chamber has stressed strengthening the institutional relations between Doha and New Delhi in priority sectors for identifying strategic projects in infrastructure, technology and food industries as part of efforts to strengthen the relations between the two countries.This clarion call, made at the recently held joint investment meeting, comes in the wake of trade volume between the two countries reaching QR48bn in the past year.The chamber was represented by board member Mohamed bin Mahdi al-Ahbabi, at the event, where discussions focused on ways to enhance co-operation between the chambers of both the countries, particularly in supporting entrepreneurs, exchanging institutional expertise, and organising joint events."India is a key trading partner for Qatar and the Qatari private sector," he said as he highlighted the QR48bn trade volume between the two countries in the past year.He also reviewed Qatar's investment advantages, including its advanced infrastructure, logistics services, and supportive legislative framework, positioning it as an attractive and competitive business environment.Inviting Indian businessmen to invest in Qatar and explore its growing opportunities; al-Ahbabi underlined the need to enhance co-operation between the chambers of commerce of both countries, promote the regular exchange of trade delegations, and expand collaboration with investment promotion bodies.