Swedish Ambassador to Qatar, H E Gautam Bhattacharyya. Pic: Amr Diab / The Peninsula
Doha, Qatar: Bilateral relations between Qatar and Sweden have significantly strengthened over the past year, reaching remarkable new heights, with Swedish Ambassador to Qatar, H E Gautam Bhattacharyya, describing the relationship as “extra excellent.”
In an exclusive interview with The Peninsula, Ambassador Bhattacharyya emphasised that ties have significantly deepened, evolving into a strategic partnership characterized by robust collaboration across diplomacy, innovation, trade, and culture.
With several high-level visits, memoranda of understanding (MoUs), and a growing business presence taking root, the Ambassador Bhattacharyya underscored that the relationship is “just at the beginning” of realising its full potential.
“The relations have improved tremendously since 2023,” said Ambassador Bhattacharyya. “It’s hard to imagine that it’s been only a little more than a year, but the relations have really come to a completely new level.”
Several MoUs signed during Amir H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani’s visit to Sweden in August 2024, has already begun to bear fruit. These agreements span a broad range of sectors, including conflict resolution, transport, innovation, and development cooperation.
“We can see movement in all of them,” said Ambassador Bhattacharyya. “In conflict resolution and mediation, for instance, the Folke Bernadotte Academy of Sweden has already conducted multiple workshops in Doha, with more planned at the upcoming Doha Forum.”
In maritime transport, a Swedish delegation recently explored collaborative opportunities. On development cooperation, discussions are underway to define mutual goals. “In each and every one of these fields, we see concrete interactions and activities,” he added.
Ambassador Bhattacharyya underscored the strategic nature of this partnership, emphasising the mutual strengths of both nations.
“I see this as really the beginning only, where Qatar and Sweden — as rather small but smart digital countries with a clear ambition to be world leaders — are finding common ground,” he said. “Sweden stands for innovation, sustainability and for some of the values that Qatar really, in its national vision, is pursuing. It’s a perfect fit.”
He noted a growing alignment between the Nordic and GCC countries, with Sweden at the forefront of building these cross-regional ties.
Highlighting cooperation in innovation, Ambassador Bhattacharyya noted that Swedish startup and venture capital delegations visited Qatar during the Web Summit, engaging with local stakeholders through the Qatar Research and Development Innovation Council.
In the medical field, Swedish experts are collaborating with Qatari institutions such as Hamad Medical Corporation, Sidra Medicine, and others within Qatar Foundation.
Sustainability and climate change are also focal points, driven by Swedish companies like Volvo, which recently introduced the first electric truck to the Qatari market.
“We have been, and continue to be, part of Qatar’s green growth story,” the Ambassador said.
The anticipated launch of the Sweden-Qatar Business Council is another milestone in strengthening economic ties. According to Ambassador Bhattacharyya, the council will be formally inaugurated during the upcoming visit of Minister for International Development Cooperation and Foreign Trade Benjamin Dousa later this year.
“We are talking to a lot of stakeholders on both sides and have good hope that a strong business delegation will be coming with the Minister,” he said, noting that Business Sweden and Qatar Chamber will be leading partners in the initiative.
Sweden also recognises Qatar’s growing influence in global humanitarian and diplomatic efforts. “Qatar is one of the main actors in this field in the world today,” said Ambassador Bhattacharyya, citing examples in Gaza, Sudan, and the response to the Morocco earthquake.
“We have not formalised our collaboration — and that’s where we are now looking to see how we can work in a more structured and coordinated manner in the future.”
The Ambassador emphasised the growing cultural and interpersonal ties between the two nations. In 2024, Qatar welcomed over 5,000 Swedish tourists — a record number. He also highlighted the visit of Her Majesty Silvia the Queen of Sweden, earlier this year as a key moment in bilateral cultural diplomacy.
“That collaboration is now taking shape where the first programme between the two royal foundations will be launched in Lebanon and Qatar,” he said, referring to the Mentor Arabia Foundation and Education Above All Foundation.
With nearly half of 2025 already past, Ambassador Bhattacharyya remains optimistic about what lies ahead. “There’s still a lot to be done,” he said. “We recently had our annual political consultations where we reviewed the bilateral agenda.”
The upcoming visit of the Swedish Trade Minister, along with Swedish participation in major events like the World Social Summit and Doha Forum, is expected to further deepen ties.
“More than anything else, we’re now seeing more traction at the working level — between ministries, departments, and agencies — where Qatari and Swedish counterparts are joining hands in more concrete collaboration,” the ambassador concluded. “All in all, I think the second half of 2025 will be as hectic as the first half.”
