New delhi: The Indian national flag atop India's Presidential Palace was seen flying at half-mast on Monday morning as the nation observed a day of mourning following the death of Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al-Thani. Sheikh Hamad served as the emir of Qatar from 1995 until 2013 and was widely recognized as the Father Emir of the State of Qatar. He passed away at the age of 74, although the cause of his death has not been publicly disclosed. According to Deutsche Welle, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed "profound sadness" in a post on X, highlighting Sheikh Hamad's significant contributions. "He was a visionary leader who guided Qatar to great levels of development and prosperity. We also remember him as a true friend whom I had the honor of meeting during my last visit to Qatar in February 2024," stated Prime Minister Modi, reflecting on the deep ties shared between the two nations. Sheikh Hamad's tenure as emir was marked by transformative economic and social developments within Qatar, leaving a lasting legacy that has been recognized globally. His leadership is credited with modernizing the nation's infrastructure and bolstering its economic status on the world stage. As India joins Qatar in mourning, the gesture of flying the national flag at half-mast symbolizes the deep respect and admiration held for Sheikh Hamad by the Indian government and its people.
