Doha: Qatar has assured India that the interests of expatriate Indian community will
be taken care of in case of economic difficulties that may arise out of any action
against Iraq in the near future.
The assurance was given by Qatar's Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed Bin Khalifa Al
Thani to visiting Deputy Prime Minister L K Advani during discussions between the
two on January 21 evening.
Apparently referring to the Iraq crisis without naming the country, Advani said in
his speech to the Indian community late January 21 night that "nobody can imagine
the difficulties that could visit the Indians if something were to happen in the
light of what is brewing in the neighbourhood".
He said when he referred to such a possibility and the need to take care of Indian
interests he was assured that "it is our responsibility. The government will take
care of the Indian people".
Reflecting on the importance he attached to his current visit, Advani said he had
readily agreed to undertake the tour because it was Qatar which was first among the
Gulf countries and the entire world to outrightly condemn the most traumatic
terrorist attack on Parliament in India.
"We have no bilateral problems. There is co-operative friendship and we are now
engaging in taking the co-operation further through discussions," he said.
The Deputy Prime Minister also asked the Indian community to be sensitive to issues
of people around them.
PTI
