India, Qatar sign cyber security, 4 other pacts

 India and Qatar on Saturday agreed to act jointly to tackle money laundering and terrorist financing, even as they signed a pact for cooperation to deal with cyber crime.

A meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Qatari counterpart Sheikh Abdullah Bin Nasser Bin Khalifa Al Thani here was followed by signing of five documents, including a protocol on technical cooperation in cyber space and combating cyber crime between the Ministry of Home Affairs of India and the Ministry of Interior of Qatar. The two prime ministers discussed ways to enhance bilateral defence and security cooperation, sources said.
Sheikh Abdullah, who is currently on a visit to India, also called on President Pranab Mukherjee.  Home Minister Rajnath Singh and Prime Minister’s National Security Adviser Ajit Doval, too, called on him. 

The meeting between the two prime ministers saw both sides discussing about follow-up to the “landmark decisions” taken during Modi’s visit to Qatar in June. Both leaders acknowledged that the current level of trade and investment was much below the potential. Modi sought greater Qatari investment in India’s infrastructure and energy sectors and outlined the measures taken by India to open up Indian economy and welcome foreign direct investment, sources said.

The two leaders identified civil aviation as a priority sector for enhancing bilateral cooperation. Modi said India would welcome a long-term arrangement with Qatar for supply of urea. India imports eight million tones of urea every year, he noted during his discussions with Sheikh Abdullah.

India could also meet Qatari needs in the area of food security, Modi said. He also pointed out that India and Qatar should move beyond buyer-seller relationship to include joint ventures, joint research and development. Indian companies were ready to invest in both upstream and downstream projects in Qatar in the hydrocarbon sector, sources said quoting Modi during his meeting with Sheikh Abdullah.