My first program in Doha is meeting you all: PM Modi to Indian workers.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Doha on Saturday on a two-day visit which is focused on giving a new push to the economic ties, particularly in the hydrocarbon sector, between India and the energy-rich Qatar.
On his visit to Doha, he met Indian workers in Downtown Doha at their camp and said, "My first program in Doha is meeting you all."
Watch PM Modi interact with Indian workers:
He applauded the workers and expressed his gratitude towards them. He said, "When someone from our nation comes, who speaks our language, knows of our land, we want to ask them how they are, know them."
He then went on to thank the doctors in Doha.
"Sometimes loneliness is a disease. When someone asks how we are, we feel better. But when someone who speaks our language asks us that, half the loneliness goes away," PM added.
Modi being proud of the workers said that India's image is not formed on the basis of how our embassy works but based on Indians everywhere around the world.
"The way you guys work is the reason why Indians are appreciated, want to offer you all my gratitude," said PM Modi.
He then said he will work to his best extent to help the workers working in Doha.
The workers in return were left teary-eyed after meeting the PM. One of the worker said, "PM Modi is the best PM, he sat with us, asked us about our troubles."
Other said, "It was like meeting someone from our family, it got me teary-eyed."
Later during his stay, Modi will hold detailed talks with Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani and address the business community of Qatar, a country which is India's largest supplier of LNG requirements, accounting for 65% of the country s total imports last financial year.
On his arrival, Modi was warmly received by Qatar's Prime Minister Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa Al Thani at the airport.
"Reached Doha. India attaches great priority to strong ties with Qatar & my visit seeks to expand bilateral ties between our nations," he tweeted on his arrival.
The Prime Minister has been focusing on improving ties with the Gulf region which is crucial for India's energy security. He has already visited United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia.
Modi is the first Indian Prime Minister to visit Qatar in the last eight years. The then Prime Minister Manmohan Singh had visited Doha in 2008.
"India's historical and close relations with Qatar are marked by mutually beneficial commercial exchanges and extensive people-to-people contacts," External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Vikas Swarup had said ahead of the visit.
There has been regular exchange of high-level bilateral visits in the recent past. The Emir of Qatar had visited India in March 2015. Previously, the then Emir of Qatar had visited India in 1999, 2005 and 2012.
From here, the Prime Minister will travel to Switzerland on way to the USA.
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
 "Modi in Doha")
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
)
)
)
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}