Qatar reliable source of energy for India: Mukherjee

New Delhi, March 26 (IANS) President Pranab Mukherjee on Thursday said India deeply values Qatar "as a reliable source of energy" and it was time that the two countries convert their commercial synergies into a deeper energy partnership through joint ventures in refineries and petrochemicals projects in India.

Mukherjee said India and Qatar share deep and rich historical connections based on geographic proximity and cultural commonalities.

Qatar is part of India's extended neighbourhood. Civilisational links between the two countries find expression in mutually beneficial, growing economic and commercial exchanges and close people-to-people contacts, the president said, according to an official statement issued here on Thursday.

Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani, the Emir of Qatar, arrived in New Delhi on a two-day visit on Wednesday.

Speaking at a banquet held at Rashtrapati Bhavan in Sheikh Tamim's honour, Mukherjee thanked the emir and his father for their personal commitment to strengthening bilateral ties with India.

He thanked the emir and his government for ensuring the safety, security and well-being of the Indian community in Qatar.

Responding to the president, Sheikh Tamim said bilateral relations between the two nations have been always strong, but they can be made even stronger.

"The goal of his visit was to strengthen relations. Qatar is happy with the progress in relations between the two countries in various fields," the statement said.

"It is confident that these relations will continue to develop and grow further, particularly after signing more cooperation agreements between the two countries and in the wake of the significant economic reforms introduced by the Indian government which has led to improvement in the investment climate in the country," it added.

The emir also reiterated Qatar's commitment to help secure India's energy needs.

He expressed appreciation over the role of the Indian community in Qatar and their contribution to the progress and economic development of his country.