Former Qatar ruler Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani remembered as visionary leader

Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, who reigned from 1995 to 2013, passed away on the morning of July 12. The former Emir is widely hailed as the architect of Qatar’s rapid modernization.

Under his stewardship, the country saw a surge in natural‑gas production, turning Qatar into one of the world’s wealthiest nations per capita. He also pursued an assertive foreign policy, hosting major events such as the 2006 Asian Games, the 2012 UN Climate Conference, the Doha Agreement, and the 2022 FIFA World Cup.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, reflecting on the emir’s legacy, called him a “true visionary” whose achievements reshaped the Gulf region’s socioeconomic landscape.

The Indian prime minister conveyed his condolences to the current Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad, the royal household, and the Qatari people.