The Government of India has declared a one-day national mourning on July 13 following the death of Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al-Thani, the Father Amir and former Emir of Qatar. The announcement was made by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), which said the decision was taken as a mark of respect for the late leader, who played a pivotal role in transforming Qatar into one of the world’s most prosperous nations.
As part of the observance, the National Flag will fly at half-mast across all government buildings where it is regularly displayed. The MEA also stated that there will be no official entertainment during the day of mourning.
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Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid tribute to Sheikh Hamad, describing him as a “visionary leader” who guided Qatar towards remarkable development and prosperity. Modi also remembered him as a close friend of India, recalling their meeting during his visit to Qatar in February 2024. He expressed condolences to the Qatari leadership and the people of the Gulf nation.
The MEA further announced that Union Minister Kiren Rijiju will travel to Qatar to represent the Government of India and convey the country’s condolences. His visit is expected to reaffirm the strong bilateral ties shared by India and Qatar.
Sheikh Hamad served as the Emir of Qatar from 1995 to 2013, before voluntarily handing over power to his son, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani. He is widely credited with modernising the country by expanding its natural gas sector, strengthening diplomacy and elevating Qatar’s global standing through investments in sports, media and infrastructure.
Qatar has declared four days of national mourning, with flags at half-mast and government offices suspending work. India and Qatar share close strategic relations in trade, energy and investment, while Qatar is also home to a large Indian expatriate community, making the relationship significant for both nations.
