India announced one day national mourning in memory of the late Qatar’s Father Amir, Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, and the former ruler who made Qatar a global economic and diplomatic power.
The government of India did not just announce the decision in memory of the deceased but in honor of the long-standing friendship of India and Qatar.
During the national mourning period, the National Flag will be flown at half-mast in all government buildings where it is regularly displayed. Government-organized entertainment events will also be suspended for the day in line with the policy.
Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani was the Emir of Qatar from 1995 to 2013 until he handed power over to his son, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani. He is associated with a transformation of Qatar as a country (with massive natural gas reserves, ambitious infrastructure projects, and the country’s global diplomacy) which is a part of Qatar’s history.
India and Qatar have long-standing diplomatic, economic and cultural ties. The Gulf nation has more than 800,000 Indians living in it, one of the largest expatriate communities in Qatar.
National flag atop Air Force building flies at half mast to mourn the passing away of His Highness Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al-Thani, Father Amir of the State of Qatar, who passed away on July 12thpic.twitter.com/cXelzb89CE
— Shalinder Wangu (@Wangu_News18) July 13, 2026
Indian workers and professionals are not only a vital part of construction, healthcare, education, hospitality, finance, and information technology but also help the country’s economy with remittances.
The national mourning signals to the rest of the country that our relationship with Qatar is so much more than its trade, investment and energy security of the country and that of the people. India is a long way from being able to get liquefied natural gas (LNG) from Qatar, which is one of the biggest suppliers of the country.
India and other countries have expressed sorrow and grief at the death of Sheikh Hamad and remembered him as a great leader who shaped Qatar’s future.
He also made education, health care, technology and international diplomacy his top priorities and Qatar became a front-line player in regional and global affairs.
The Indian government said Sheikh Hamad’s leadership has helped to develop India Qatar relations and promote good feelings and goodwill between the people of India and Qatar. His role in regional stability and international cooperation is well known to world leaders.
As tributes keep pouring in, Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani is still being remembered for his vision, statesmanship and commitment to modernization. India’s decision to hold a national day of mourning for Father Amir shows how much it respects the late Father Amir and reaffirms the strong partnership which is still very much of his memory today.
The gesture also shows the close people-to-people ties that are still strong among the large Indian diaspora in Qatar as well as people-to-people ties in the country.
