Thread by @raisinadialogue

We are LIVE tweeting the ‘in conversation’ session with Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Qatar (@MBA_AlThani_) and @samirsaran

Participate with #Raisina2021

.@samirsaran to @MBA_AlThani_ : With Qatar being the manifestation of globalisation — as a global centre for travel, tourism and business — how did Doha respond to the #COVID19 pandemic? #Raisina2021

.@MBA_AlThani_ : In responding to the pandemic, our first priority was to ensure that Qatar’s health-care system is resilient. Last year, when the pandemic started, we already had plans in place for creating field hospitals to accommodate the infected. #Raisina2021

.@MBA_AlThani_ : With our efforts to combat the #COVID19 pandemic, Qatar has had the lowest fatality rate in the world. #Raisina2021

.@MBA_AlThani_ : Qatar did not take the extreme measure of announcing lockdowns. But we ensured strict measures on social-distancing guidelines, making masks mandatory, and imposing strict rules for public gatherings. #Raisina2021

.@samirsaran to @MBA_AlThani_ : In your assessment, how has the #COVID19 pandemic impacted the preparations for the FIFA World Cup in Qatar?

.@MBA_AlThani_ : When the pandemic started last year, everyone expected that we will return to normalcy in 2021, but we continue to face the novel coronavirus. Qatar anticipated this to plan for a successful FIFA World Cup even with the pandemic continuing. #Raisina2021

.@MBA_AlThani_ : Qatar hopes to organise the FIFA World Cup with physical presence of audiences. We want this to be the first happy event for the world, following the #COVID19 pandemic. #Raisina2021

.@MBA_AlThani_ : We have programmes under development to provide vaccinations for all attendees at the World Cup next year. #Raisina2021

.@samirsaran to .@MBA_AlThani_ : As the Chair of the Qatar Investment Authority and the Qatar Development Fund, what is your assessment of Qatar's plans to reorient its economy towards a Green agenda?

.@MBA_AlThani_ : Qatar is participating in our collective Green future. Qatar Fund for Development is supporting countries which are set to be impacted by climate change. In 2019, we pledged US$ 100m for small-island nations. #Raisina2021

.@MBA_AlThani_ : Qatar has also invested in a power company in India, wherein we are using our funds for India's planned transition away from coal plants and towards gas and renewable plants. #Raisina2021

.@MBA_AlThani_ : In Africa, Qatar is partnering with Europe to build Green renewable power plants. The Qatar Investment Authority has untaken similar projects in Latin America as well. #Raisina2021

.@MBA_AlThani_ : Qatar is also seeking to make next year’s FIFA World Cup as the first carbon-neural global event. #Raisina2021

.@samirsaran to .@MBA_AlThani_ : On the situation in Afghanistan, what is Qatar’s assessment on the likelihood of a much-belated resolution?

.@MBA_AlThani_ : Firstly, it is important to recognise that the issues we are dealing with in Afghanistan pertain to it being in a state of conflict for 40 years — and not just the US military effort against the Taliban. #Raisina2021

.@MBA_AlThani_ : Qatar’s aim for hosting US-Taliban and Taliban-Afghanistan talks is to facilitate sustainable peace in Afghanistan. #Raisina2021

.@MBA_AlThani_ : Going forward, challenges remain since we have had limited progress on intra-Afghanistan peace — which will be the cornerstone of any resolution in Afghanistan. #Raisina2021

.@MBA_AlThani_ : Even ahead of the multi-stakeholder meet in Istanbul, Qatar is continuing to engage with the Taliban and the Afghan government towards ensuring a reduction in violence. This will provide the right environment for negotiations to move forward. #Raisina2021

.@samirsaran to @MBA_AlThani_ : In your assessment, which areas of cooperation warrant attention from the India-Qatar dynamic over the next decade? #Raisina2021

.@MBA_AlThani_ : We should focus on increasing cooperation in the energy sector, which could also align our interests on climate change. Second, we need to continue the precedent of reciprocal investments. Third, we should focus on the untapped area of education. #Raisina2021

We come to a close of #Raisina2021 session with Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Qatar (@MBA_AlThani_)

Thank you for joining us!