One stop long haul routes eg BHX-ATQ-DEL simply add cost and complexity compared to DEL non-stop which as has been discussed might be more attractive to AI to do from MAN
Also, a 1 stop ATQ via DEL means that IF Qatar were to start BHX too, alongside Turkmenistan Airlines, AI will have no real competitive edge as all BHX-ATQ will be 1 stop service.
I think this is just a wait and see scenario, but given AI's history of starting and stopping MAN and BHX back when competition was minimal, it will be interesting to see how long they stick around in the face of gulf competition.