Thursday, April 14 2005 16:54 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

New Delhi: India and Qatar today (Apr 14, 2005) signed a bilateral air services agreement to improve connectivity and decided to further bolster multifaceted ties between the two countries.

The accord was signed by Civil Aviation Minister Praful Patel and Qatar Finance Minister Yousef Hussain Kamal in the presence of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and the visiting Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Hamad Bin Khalifa Al-Thani after the two leaders held discussions on a range of bilateral, regional and global issues of mutual interest.

The ruler of the Arab country, who arrived in New Delhi yesterday on a three-day visit, was accorded a ceremonial reception this morning at Rashtrapati Bhavan where he was warmly received by President A P J Abdul Kalam, the Prime Minister and other dignitaries.

Sheikh Hamad's talks with Singh particularly focussed on stepping up cooperation in the energy sector.

The Indian side included Minister of State for External Affairs E Ahamad.

Sheikh Hamad, who is leading a high-power delegation, will call on President Kalam. He will also hold meetings with Vice President Bhairon Singh Shekhawat, besides meeting the Ministers for Defence, Civil Aviation and Petroleum and Natural Gas. Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha L K Advani will meet the Emir who leaves for Dhaka tomorrow.