Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a telephonic conversation with the Amir of Qatar, His Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, to convey his heartfelt condolences on the passing of the Father Amir, Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani. The Father Amir, who passed away recently at the age of 74, was a towering figure in West Asian politics. In a poignant gesture of solidarity and respect, the Government of India had declared a day of national mourning, flying the tricolor at half-mast across the country.

Recalling the Father Amir’s monumental contributions as the chief architect of modern Qatar, PM Modi paid rich tributes to his visionary leadership. The Prime Minister's Office (PMO) stated that Modi recalled the late leader's pivotal role in strengthening India-Qatar relations over the decades, as well as his deep affection for India and the vibrant Indian diaspora residing in Qatar.

In a post on the social media platform X, PM Modi shared, "Spoke with H.H. Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, the Amir of Qatar and conveyed heartfelt condolences on the passing of H.H. the Father Amir, Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani. Recalled his deep affection for India, his warmth towards the Indian community in Qatar and his steadfast commitment to India-Qatar relations." He added that the Father Amir's enduring legacy would continue to guide both nations as they further consolidate their Strategic Partnership.

The Amir of Qatar warmly thanked Prime Minister Modi for the phone call, expressing his deep appreciation for India's solidarity and supportive words during this period of grief. This high-level interaction underscores the resilient diplomatic ties between New Delhi and Doha, which have transitioned from buyer-seller dynamics to a robust strategic partnership encompassing energy security, defense cooperation, and mutual investments.

Diplomatic analysts view India's swift and respectful response to the Father Amir's passing as a testament to New Delhi's deep-rooted 'Link West' policy. As India seeks to secure its energy interests and protect the welfare of millions of Indian expatriates in the Gulf, such high-level empathetic diplomacy plays a vital role in reinforcing trust and mutual respect between the two sovereign nations.