2 min readUpdated: Jul 12, 2026 09:19 PM IST India has announced a one-day national mourning on Monday (July 13) after Qatar’s former Emir, Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, died. Sheikh Hamad headed the gas-rich Gulf country of Qatar from 1995 to 2013. The former Emir, who was 74-year-old at the time of his death, is credited with transforming the Persian Gulf nation into a key player in diplomacy, media and investment across national boundaries. India’s tricolour will be flown at half-mast and there will be no official entertainment on the day, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said in a statement. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has expressed condolences at the demise of Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al-Thani, noting that he was “a visionary leader who led Qatar to great levels of development and prosperity and was a true friend of India.” نشعر بحزن عميق لوفاة الأمير الوالد لدولة قطر، صاحب السمو الشيخ حمد بن خليفة آل ثاني.​لقد كان قائداً صاحب رؤية، قاد قطر إلى مستويات عظيمة من التطور والازدهار. ونتذكره أيضاً كصديق حقيقي …