The United States has decided to designate Qatar as a major non-NATO ally to reflect the “importance of its bilateral relationship” and its status as a “good friend and capable partner,” American President Joe Biden announced on Monday during a visit to Washington DC by Qatar’s emir Sheikh Tamim Al-Thani.

“This past year, our partnership with Qatar has been central to many of our most vital interests — relocating tens of thousands of Afghans; maintaining stability in Gaza and providing lifesaving assistance to the Palestinians; keeping pressure on ISIS and deterring threats across the Middle East; and a lot more,” Biden said at a joint press conference with Qatar’s leader.

Biden stated that the US and Qatar had a common interest in “ensuring global energy supply stability.” If a conflict with Russia erupts, the US is counting on Qatar, among others, to step in with natural gas supplies, putting Russian gas supplies to Europe in jeopardy.

The US president also praised the two countries’ commercial and investment ties, praising a $20 billion order placed by Qatar Airways with Boeing on Monday.

The United States has designated 18 countries as major non-NATO allies, including Pakistan. Unlike a NATO ally, whose defence becomes the alliance’s collective responsibility, the designation does not imply a defence commitment, but it does provide a country with military and financial benefits.

Qatar’s inclusion as a major non-NATO ally, according to Biden, is “long overdue.” “I am making this designation in recognition of Qatar’s many years of contributions to US-led efforts in the US Central Command area of responsibility, and in recognition of our own national interest in deepening bilateral defence and security cooperation with the state of Qatar,” he wrote in a letter to the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the President of the Senate.

A senior administration official said in a recent briefing that the US was “incredibly grateful” to Qatar for its assistance in Afghanistan, including serving as the primary transit point for 60,000 Afghan evacuees and joining the US and the international community in informing the Taliban about the importance of an inclusive government and respect for human rights.

Qatar played a key role in US-Taliban negotiations, despite the fact that, contrary to the terms of the Doha peace process, the Afghan government collapsed, American troops withdrew in a chaotic manner, and the Taliban took control of the country after a violent offensive last year.

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