New Delhi, Oct. 7 -- India is looking to Doha as a key partner to cushion the trade impact of the US administration's steep 50% tariff on Indian goods.

India and Qatar are moving towards a more strategic partnership that can help Asia's second-largest economy diversify its energy basket, reduce dependency on Russian oil, and navigate growing geopolitical uncertainties and sanctions-related price volatility.

Mint explains the evolving relationship through the lens of energy security, economic growth, and regional stability.

The US's steep 50% tariff has put India's goods trade worth $86.5 billion under strain. In 2024-25, India-Qatar trade totalled $14.14 billion, with a significant portion skewed toward energy. India had a trade defici...