New Delhi, July 14 -- Union Minister Kiren Rijiju has departed from Delhi Airport for Qatar to convey official condolences on behalf of India following the demise of the Gulf nation's former Emir, Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani.

Sheikh Hamad, who was widely known as the "Father Emir", passed away on Sunday at the age of 74. Whilst the Qatari government confirmed his demise, the cause of death was not specified.

Universally credited with reshaping the tiny Gulf nation into one of the world's wealthiest and most influential countries, Sheikh Hamad laid the foundations of modern Qatar during his lifetime, transforming the gas-rich state into a global economic, diplomatic and media powerhouse.

To honour the monumental legacy of the late...