India will observe a day of national mourning on Monday, July 13, in honor of Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, the Father Emir of Qatar, who died on Sunday at the age of 74.
As a mark of respect, the national flag will be flown at half-mast across India on Monday, and there will be no official entertainment, the Ministry of External Affairs said in a statement.
Read also | India declares a day of mourning for the father of the Emir of Qatar
“A true friend of India”: Prime Minister Modi
Prime Minister Narendra Modi mourned the death of Sheikh Hamad, describing him as a true friend of India and a visionary leader who led Qatar’s development.
“A visionary leader who led Qatar to great levels of development and prosperity, we also remember him as a true friend whom I had the honor of meeting during my last visit to Qatar in February 2024,” Modi said on social media.
Prime Minister Modi conveyed his condolences to the Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, the royal family and the Qatari people.
Read also | India declares one-day national mourning for the soul of Qatar’s father, Emir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani
One-day national mourning on July 13
The Foreign Ministry said the government declared a one-day national mourning on July 13 out of respect for the spirit of Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, the Father Emir of Qatar.
The Government of India has declared a day of national mourning tomorrow, 13 July 2026, out of respect for Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, Father Emir of the State of Qatar, who passed away today. The national flag will be flown at half-mast on the Day of Mourning across India on all buildings where the national flag is regularly hoisted, and there will be no formal entertainment on this day.
The statement said that Parliamentary and Minority Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju is expected to visit Qatar soon to offer his condolences on behalf of the Indian government.
Sheikh Hamad’s life and contributions
The Emiri Diwan in Qatar said earlier that the father Emir, Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, died at the age of 74.
The Amiri Diwan said in a statement today, Sunday, “With hearts that believe in God’s will and destiny, the Amiri Diwan mourns the great loss of the nation, the late – may God have mercy on him – His Highness the Father Emir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, who passed away this morning.”
Sheikh Hamad, who ruled Qatar from 1995 to 2013, was a key architect of the energy-rich country’s rapid transformation.
During his reign, Qatar witnessed great economic, social and cultural development that strengthened its position on the international scene.
He led major economic investments and expanded international partnerships as Qatar emerged as the world’s largest exporter of liquefied natural gas. Following his death, Qatar declared four days of public mourning, starting on Sunday.
The Indian community in Qatar also grew significantly during the reign of Sheikh Hamad. He made official visits to India in 1999, 2005 and 2012, which contributed to strengthening bilateral relations.
(With inputs from Rezaul H Laskar)
