PM Modi invites Qatar Inc to invest in India; promises to address 'bottlenecks'

Describing India as a "land of opportunity", Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday invited Qatar's business leaders to take advantage of it by investing in the country and promised to address "bottlenecks" identified by them.

"India is a land of opportunity. I have come to personally invite you to take advantage of this opportunity," Modi said in a roundtable meeting with Qatari business leaders, his first engagement on the second day of his visit to the oil-rich Gulf nation.

The Prime Minister tweeted on Twitter:

At the round-table with businesspersons from Qatar, discussed ways to enhance India-Qatar economic cooperation. pic.twitter.com/CuR9GApugG

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) June 5, 2016

The Prime Minister identified agro processing, railways and solar energy as very promising areas for Qatari investment.

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) tweeted the Prime Minister as saying on Twitter:

PM @narendramodi identifies agro processing, railways & solar energy as very promising areas for Qatari investment pic.twitter.com/JASt28NIDm

— Vikas Swarup (@MEAIndia) June 5, 2016

"All of you recognise the potential of India. I will address the bottlenecks you have identified," Modi said. 

PM @narendramodi : All of you recognize the potential of India. I will address the bottlenecks you have identified. pic.twitter.com/8yVwHTpYYC

— Vikas Swarup (@MEAIndia) June 5, 2016

He described 800 million youth in India as the country's biggest strength.

"India's 800 million youth are its biggest strength. Infrastructure expansion and upgradation and manufacturing are my other priorities," Modi said.

He added that projects like smart cities, metros and urban waste management are geared towards upgrading quality of life of people.

The Prime Minister also praised the role of Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani in promoting India-Qatar business ties.

PM @narendramodi addresses business leaders. Praises role of Emir of Qatar in promoting India Qatar business ties pic.twitter.com/zLAvaazfzx

— Vikas Swarup (@MEAIndia) June 5, 2016

Earlier, Qatar's Minister of Trade and Economy Sheikh Ahmed bin Jassim Al Thani welcomed PM Modi and sought more intensive economic engagement with India.

Qatar's Minister of Trade & Economy welcomes PM @narendramodi, seeks more intensive eco engagement with India pic.twitter.com/0LQ4btZOwc

— Vikas Swarup (@MEAIndia) June 5, 2016

The size of annual bilateral trade between India and Qatar is around $10 billion and both the countries would like to expand it significantly. Qatar has a major sovereign wealth fund and India is eyeing to attract investment from it.

Modi is on a five-nation visit and has landed in Qatar on Saturday from Afghanistan.

Modi will also visit Switzerland, the US and Mexico as part of the tour.