India reiterates to Qatar that terrorism is a threat to all

During top-level discussions last weekend, India told Qatar that terrorism, violent extremism and religious intolerance "pose grave threats not only to regional stability but also to global peace and order."

India’s views on the need to eliminate terrorism were unequivocally conveyed by ministers and officials to Qatar’s Foreign Minister, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani, during wide-ranging talks the External Affairs Minister, Sushma Swaraj, had with her Qatari counterpart in New Delhi.

The Foreign Minister had travelled to New Delhi looking for support for Qatar’s positions on its dispute with mainstream Gulf states, including the UAE, but officials in the capital told WAM that he failed to get such support from the Indian leadership.

According to Raveesh Kumar, Spokesman of the Ministry of External Affairs, instead, India had sought assurances from Qatar about the "continued safety, welfare and well-being of the Indian community" in the country, which is 630,000 strong.

The Indian side were also briefed on Qatar’s labour laws in view of concerns in India about the welfare of Indian workers in Qatar in view of uncertainties in the wake of its disputes with countries in the region.

India said "Peace and security in the Gulf are of paramount importance for the continued progress and prosperity of the region," according to the statement by India’s Ministry of External Affairs, which expressed hope that disputes would be resolved through a "process of constructive dialogue and peaceful negotiations."

"India has time-tested friendly relations with GCC countries. With over eight million Indian expatriates living and working in these countries, we have vital stakes in the regional peace and stability," added Kumar.