India Declares One-Day National Mourning for Former Qatar Emir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani

13 July 2026National

The Government of India declared a one-day national mourning on Monday, 13 July 2026, as a mark of respect for Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, the former Emir (the 'Father Emir') of Qatar, who passed away at the age of 74. The national flag flew at half-mast across India. Sheikh Hamad ruled Qatar from 1995 to 2013, overseeing the Gulf nation's rapid socio-economic transformation, before handing power to his son, the current Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, in 2013. Prime Minister Narendra Modi described him as a 'visionary leader' and a close friend of India. Qatar announced a four-day national mourning. Sheikh Hamad voluntarily handed over power to his son Sheikh Tamim in 2013.

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Qatar capital: Doha | Currency: Qatari Riyal | Current Emir: Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani | India-Qatar: key LNG and trade partners

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India declared one-day national mourning (13 July 2026) for former Qatar Emir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani (ruled 1995-2013); current Emir is his son Sheikh Tamim.

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