In this article we are going to explore Indians in Qatar, a topic that has generated great interest and debate in recent years. Indians in Qatar is a concept that has captured the attention of experts in different fields, and its relevance has been increasing in contemporary society. Throughout this article, we will analyze different aspects related to Indians in Qatar, from its history and evolution to its impact today. We will also examine different perspectives and opinions on Indians in Qatar, with the goal of providing a comprehensive view of this topic. Regardless of your level of familiarity with Indians in Qatar, this article seeks to offer a new look and deepen your understanding.
This article needs additional citations for verification. (August 2017) |
Total population | |
---|---|
691,000 25% of the Qatar's population (2017) | |
Regions with significant populations | |
Doha • Al Wakrah • Al Khor • Al Rayyan | |
Languages | |
Malayalam • Telugu • Tamil • Urdu • Bengali • Hindi • English • Gujarati • Arabic • Kannada | |
Religion | |
Hinduism • Christianity • Islam • Sikhism | |
Related ethnic groups | |
Indian diaspora |
The community of Indians in Qatar includes Indian expatriates in Qatar, as well as people of Indian origin born in Qatar. Qatar has a total population of 2,740,479 as of May 2019. The Indian population in the country currently stands at around 691,000.
More and more Indian students in Qatar, especially Doha, are opting for distance education programmes after passing their higher secondary examinations. After clearing their Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) Class 12 exams, the students are making a beeline for the various distance education programmes offered by a number of Indian universities in Qatar.
There is also a sizable population of second or third generation Qatari-born Indians. They share characteristics with other third culture kids, forming a cultural identity that blends their heritage culture and the myriad of foreign cultures they encounter growing up in the Qatar, and a more fluid sense of home. Those who grow up in western compounds tend to be well-assimilated into western culture, whereas those who stay in Indian neighborhoods such as Najma or Mughlina tend to be more in touch with India. Many Qatari-born Indians further migrate to countries such as the United States, Canada, Australia and New Zealand both for greater economic and lifestyle opportunities, and due to the Qatar's restrictive citizenship practices; many are forced to leave when no longer deemed valuable by the government. There is also a large area known as Asian Town specifically targeted at working class Indian immigrants
According to media reports and Indian government figures published on February 17, 2014 more than 1,000 Indians working in Qatar have died in the past two years, obtained by news wire AFP under right of information laws. According to the Indian embassy in Qatar, 237 workers died in 2012 and 218 in 2013. The figures follow similar data revealed to AFP by the Nepalese embassy in Doha last month, showing 191 deaths recorded in 2013, with many of them from "unnatural" heart failure, compared with 169 the year before. The Indian embassy did not give details about the circumstances of the deaths.
In October 2023, eight former Indian naval officers working for the Al Dahra consulting company, which was advising the Qatari government on the acquisition of submarines, were handed death sentences on 'spying charges' by a Qatari court. The charges against the eight men were not made public by either the Indian government or the Qatari authorities. Some news outlets, citing unnamed sources, said the men were charged with spying for Israel.
In December 2023, as per India's foreign ministry, the death sentences were commuted. However, the new penalty the former Indian naval officer would face was not specified.
In February 2024, all eight ex-navy personals were freed and sent to India.
Indian schools in Qatar include: