India declares one-day mourning for former Qatari Amir Sheikh Hamad

• India declared a one-day national mourning as a mark of respect for former Amir of Qatar Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al-Thani.

• Sheikh Hamad, known as Father Amir of Qatar, passed away on July 12 at the age of 74. 

• He ruled Qatar from 1995 to 2013, and is credited with ushering in socio-economic development in the energy-rich Gulf nation.

• In 2013, Sheikh Hamad handed over power to his son Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, the current Emir of Qatar.

• Sheikh Hamad was born in January 1952 in Doha. He then joined the British Royal Military Academy at Sandhurst. After his graduation in 1971, he joined the Qatar Armed Forces where he was promoted till he reached the rank of Major General. 

• He was credited as playing a pivotal role in developing the armed forces in terms of ordnance.

• Sheik Hamad played a central role in expanding Qatar’s international clout since 1995, when the Amir took power in a bloodless coup.

• He also played a key role in deepening India-Qatar relations.

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi has expressed condolences at the demise of Sheikh Hamad, noting that “he was a visionary leader who led Qatar to great levels of development and prosperity and was a true friend of India”.

• The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said the government declared one-day national mourning on July 13 as a mark of respect for Sheikh Hamad.

• As Amir, he visited India in 1999, 2005 and 2012. Besides official visits, he also paid a number of personal visits to India.