India, Feb. 18 -- The Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al-Thani on Tuesday received a warm welcome in India from Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who broke the established protocol by personally receiving him at the airport.

"Went to the airport to welcome my brother, Emir of Qatar HH Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al Thani. Wishing him a fruitful stay in India and looking forward to our meeting tomorrow," PM Narendra Modi wrote on X.

PM Narendra Modi's rare gesture for Sheikh Al-Thani signifies the historical and close ties between India and Qatar which has continued to deepen in recent years.

India and Qatar upgraded their bilateral relations to a strategic partnership on Tuesday as Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Qatari Amir Sheikh Tamim ...