Emir of Qatar gets ceremonial reception at Rashtrapati Bhawan

New Delhi, Apr 9 (ANI): A ceremonial reception was accorded to Qatar's Emir Sheikh Hamad Bin Khalifa Al-Thani at the Rashtrapati Bhawan here this morning.

He was received by President Pratibha Devisingh Patil and Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh at Rashtrapati Bhawan.

Al-Thani inspected the guard of honour and also met the members of the Indian Cabinet

The Emir of Qatar is accompanied by his wife Sheikha Mozah Bint Nasser Al Missned, a high-level ministerial delegation, senior officials and businessmen.

This is the third visit of the Emir to India, the last two being in 1999 and 2005. During his stay in India, Sheikh Hamad will meet President Pratibha Patil.

This is the third visit of the Emir to India, the last two being in 1999 and 2005. During his stay in India, Sheikh Hamad will hold bilateral talks with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.

Both leaders would discuss the steps that need to be taken to bring about changes in the labour laws as more than 500,000 Indians are residing in this Middle East nation.

He will meet Vice President M Hamid Ansari, External Affairs Minister S M Krishna. Congress President Sonia Gandhi and Leader of the Opposition Sushma Swaraj will also call on him.

India's relations with Qatar have been historically close and friendly. Qatar is the largest supplier of LNG to India. Qatar also hosts an Indian community of around 500,000 persons. (ANI)