Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu visited Qatar as a part of a three-nation visit

Qatar's 7.80 lakh-strong Indian community represents a "living bridge between the two countries," Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu said on Monday.

Speaking at a community reception in Doha, Qatar, he said India-Qatar relations had improved ever since Prime Minister Narendra Modi implemented the 'Look West policy'.

Vice President Naidu also pointed out that, despite the COVID-19 issue, both nations' bilateral trade reached a record high of over USD 15 billion last year, and that India was the third-largest trading partner of Qatar.

The Indian Vice President stated that the two nations are developing a "comprehensive energy partnership", and that defence, security, healthcare, and education collaboration between India and Qatar is increasing.

He further mentioned that the two nations had agreed to create an "Indian Chair at Qatar University" and to explore collaboration in sports and culture. He went on to say that the two countries have also built a "start-up bridge" to connect their respective creative ecosystems.

Vice President Naidu reminded the gathering that India and Qatar would be celebrating their 50th anniversary of full diplomatic relations shortly. In addition, he emphasized India's COVID-19 response and mentioned the ambitious Digital India Mission.

Vice President Naidu had arrived in Qatar on Saturday, on the final leg of his three-nation trip which also included Senegal and Gabon.

On Sunday, he called on Father Amir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani and also met Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Sheikh Khalid bin Khalifa bin Abdulaziz Al Thani at Amiri Diwan.

"Both sides positively assessed the developments in bilateral relations and agreed to further strengthen their historic friendship in all areas," the MEA said after the meeting.

On Monday, Vice President Naidu had addressed a meeting of the India-Qatar Business Forum.

Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare, Dr. Bharati Pravin Pawar, Member of Parliament (MP) Sushil Kumar Modi, MP Vijay Pal Singh Tomar, MP P. Raveendranath, and senior officials from the Vice President's Secretariat and the Ministry of External Affairs were among those accompanying the Vice President during this visit.