India has urged government officials in Qatar to support the Indian airline industry by establishing a new airline or invest in an existing Indian carrier.
Media reports said the Indian civil aviation ministry had asked the Qatar government to consider setting up an airline based in India.
"They were looking at a regional airline, fully fledged national airline or investment in an existing Indian airline," according to a report by news outlet the Mint, citing an unnamed source.
Civil aviation secretary Rajiv Nayan Choubey confirmed a written request had been made to Qatar.
"That’s what we have suggested to them. Look, we have a fantastic market—its 100% FDI. Come fly your planes, there is money here to be made," Choubey said.
The request was also passed on to Qatar Airways’ CEO Akbar Al Baker.
