High-profile Meeting at Lusail Palace
Reliance Industries Limited Chairman Mukesh Ambani recently met US President Donald Trump at a state dinner hosted by Qatar in honor of the latter. This marks the second meeting between the two influential figures since Trump resumed his presidency in January. Ambani and his wife Nita Ambani were also present at Trump's second inauguration in January and attended an intimate dinner with him the day before the inauguration.
Videos circulating online captured Ambani warmly greeting Trump and engaging in a quick chat before entering Lusail Palace. He also exchanged pleasantries with Qatari Emir Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani. Additionally, Ambani was seen conversing with US Secretary of Commerce Steve Lutnick.
According to a report by The Washington Post, Trump and the emir spent nearly an hour in a receiving line to welcome various high-profile guests at the state dinner. Among the attendees was Tesla CEO Elon Musk, who arrived 30 minutes late and reportedly used a clever tactic to move ahead in the queue.
During the event, Trump encouraged Qatar to leverage its influence over Iran to facilitate discussions aimed at reducing Iran's nuclear program. This plea was made by Trump as part of his visit to the Gulf nation, where he is engaging in diplomatic talks.
Several significant business deals have been sealed during Trump's visit to the Gulf region, including Qatar Airways' agreement to purchase up to 210 Boeing widebody jets, a substantial investment commitment from Saudi Arabia in the US, and substantial arms sales to the kingdom.
Trump has prioritized strengthening ties with Gulf countries, aiming to establish the region as a prominent player in global AI competition alongside the United States and China.
