India Observes One-Day State Mourning on the Passing of Former Qatar Emir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani

New Delhi: The Government of India has declared 13 July 2026 as a one-day State Mourning following the demise of former Qatar Emir and “Father Emir” Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani. The Ministry of External Affairs stated that the decision was taken as a mark of respect for the late leader and in recognition of the strong bilateral ties between India and Qatar.

During the State Mourning, the National Flag will be flown at half-mast on all government buildings where it is regularly displayed across the country. In addition, no official entertainment programmes will be held throughout the day.

Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani is widely regarded as the architect of modern Qatar, having transformed the country into a globally influential nation. Under his leadership, Qatar made remarkable progress in the fields of energy, economic development, and international diplomacy. India–Qatar relations, particularly in trade, energy cooperation, and people-to-people ties, also strengthened significantly during his tenure.