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Doha, Sep 28: Union Finance and Corporate Affairs Minister Nirmala Sitharaman’s official visit to Qatar is putting the spotlight on infrastructure finance, international investment and stronger economic cooperation between India and Gulf economies.
Sitharaman is in Qatar from September 27 to 29, 2026, leading a delegation from the Ministry of Finance. She is attending the 11th Annual Meeting of the Board of Governors of the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) in Doha on September 28 as India’s Governor to the institution.
India is the second-largest shareholder in AIIB, giving the country an important role in discussions on infrastructure financing and development priorities. The meeting also provides an opportunity for India to engage with other member countries on areas where long-term development finance can support economic growth.
As India continues to expand investment in infrastructure, stronger engagement with multilateral development institutions can help broaden access to long-term capital for projects across sectors such as transport, urban development, energy and logistics.
Focus on Investment and Business Engagement
During the visit, Sitharaman is scheduled to hold meetings with the AIIB President and finance counterparts from Jordan, Switzerland, Algeria, Saudi Arabia and Nepal.
She is also expected to meet the leadership of the Qatari government, along with Qatari business leaders and investors. These engagements are likely to provide a platform for discussions on investment opportunities, economic cooperation and areas of mutual interest.
For India, deeper engagement with Gulf investors could create opportunities for greater participation in infrastructure and other growth-oriented sectors. Long-term foreign capital can play an important role in supporting large projects while strengthening economic ties between India and the Gulf region.
Strengthening India’s Global Economic Engagement
The Qatar visit brings together India’s multilateral and bilateral economic priorities, with AIIB discussions taking place alongside meetings with international policymakers, businesses and investors.
The broader focus on infrastructure financing and investment cooperation comes as India continues to build its infrastructure capacity and attract international capital. Stronger institutional and investor partnerships can support project financing, encourage cross-border investment and expand opportunities for businesses in both countries.
Sitharaman’s engagements in Doha are therefore expected to reinforce India’s participation in global development finance while creating further avenues for infrastructure, investment and long-term economic cooperation with Qatar and other international partners.
