India Declares One-Day National Mourning On Demise Of Former Qatar Emir Sheikh Hamad, Rijiju Likely To Visit Doha

India on Sunday declared a one-day national mourning on July 13 after Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, Qatar's former Emir and father of the Amir of the State of Qatar, died at the age of 74.

In a statement, the Ministry of External Affairs said, "The National Flag will be flown at half-mast on the day of mourning throughout India on all buildings where the National Flag is flown regularly, and there will be no official entertainment on the day."

The statement further added that Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed condolences at his demise, calling him a "true friend of India." He noted that the Father Amir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al-Thani, noting that he was a visionary leader who led Qatar to great levels of development and prosperity and was a true friend of India was a visionary leader who led his country to great levels of development and prosperity.

On behalf of the Government of India, Parliamentary Affairs and Minority Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju is expected to visit Qatar shortly to convey condolences.

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Khalifa Al Thani ruled Qatar from 1995 to 2013, playing a key role in building Qatar into a significant regional power. Later, he handed over power to his son, Sheikh Tamim, who is currently the country's leader.

This was a rare instance of an Arab ruler stepping down from power in a Gulf country, aimed at ensuring a smooth transition of power. He himself had ousted his father in a bloodless coup in 1995.

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Sheikh Hamad enhanced Qatar's global profile by successfully bidding to host the 2022 Soccer World Cup tournament.