Current Affairs for 18 November 2025

India-Qatar Dialogue: Expanding Energy Security

Context

On November 16, 2025, India's External Affairs Minister (EAM), Dr. S. Jaishankar, held a key meeting with Qatar's Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani, in Doha. During the meeting, extensive discussions were held on bilateral relations, energy cooperation, trade, investment, and regional and global issues. 

India-Qatar Dialogue: Key Outcomes

• Commitment to further strengthen their strategic partnership between the two countries
• Agreement to explore new opportunities to ensure stability in the energy sector, especially LNG supplies
• Emphasis on expanding trade and investment cooperation
• Shared vision for peace and stability in West Asia
• Promotion of people-to-people contacts, labor cooperation, and economic partnership

India-Qatar Bilateral Relations

Historical

• Relations between India and Qatar are based on centuries-old trade ties. Formal diplomatic relations were established in 1973.
• Over time, the two countries have become strong partners in energy, trade, investment, and security cooperation.

Trade

• India-Qatar bilateral trade stood at $14.08 billion in 2023-24.
• Qatar primarily exports LNG, LPG, petroleum products, and chemicals to India.
• India exports rice, marine products, steel, machinery, electronic goods, etc. to Qatar.
• Qatar is a major energy provider to India, and a large portion of India's LNG requirements come from Qatar.

Defense Relations

• There is a defense cooperation agreement between the two countries. The Indian Navy and the Qatari Navy conduct regular cooperation exercises.
• Intelligence sharing, maritime security, and counter-terrorism cooperation between the two countries have also strengthened.

Cultural Relations

• Approximately 850,000 Indians reside in Qatar, constituting its largest expatriate population.
• The Indian community plays a significant role in education, health, trade, and industry.
• There are close cultural ties between the two countries through art, music, sports, and cultural festivals.

Tourism

• Qatar is an emerging attraction for Indian tourists, especially Doha, the Pearl Qatar, and the Islamic Art Museum.
• Strong air connectivity between India and Qatar promotes both tourism and trade.
  

Kalando Mine

• At least 32 people died when a bridge collapsed at the Kalando Mine in southeastern Congo.
• The accident was caused by heavy crowds, illegal mining activities, and people entering the mine despite the risk of landslides due to rain.
• This incident once again highlights the dangers and human safety issues associated with artisanal mining in Congo.

About the Kalando Mine

Location

• Located in the Mulondo region of Lualaba Province in southeastern Congo.
• The region is part of the world's major copper-cobalt belt.

Mineral

• Copper
  • Congo is among the world's leading copper-producing countries.
  • The Kalando region is known for its high-quality copper.
• Cobalt
  • Congo is the world's largest producer of cobalt.
    • Cobalt is used in lithium-ion batteries, electric vehicles, and many electronic products.
  • Chinese companies control approximately 80% of cobalt production in Congo.

Current Situation

• Like many mining sites in Congo, illegal mining and lack of safety standards are a major problem at Kalando.
• There has been long-standing tension between illegal miners, cooperatives, and legal mining companies over control of the mine.
• The presence of troops in the mining area has also been a source of conflict, further complicating the local situation.
• Violence between government forces, local militias, and rebel groups (such as M23) has persisted in Congo's mineral-rich regions for decades, exacerbating the humanitarian crisis.