UAE, India hold first strategic dialogue
SLEW OF AGREEMENTS SLATED TO BE SIGNED DURING MOHAMMAD BIN ZAYED’S THREE-DAY VISIT TO NEW DELHI
Talks in New Delhi focus on cooperation in trade, investment, energy, energy and defence |
Top Indian and UAE officials participated in the first India-UAE Strategic Dialogue in the Indian capital of New Delhi yesterday.
The talks were held ahead of the visit of His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, to India, where he will be the chief guest for this year’s Republic Day celebrations.
The strategic dialogue, held between the two foreign offices, was co-chaired by Dr Anwar Mohammad Gargash, UAE Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, and M.J. Akbar, Indian Minister of State for External Affairs.
During the meeting, the two sides agreed on a number of new initiatives to further strengthen the bilateral cooperation and on signing of fresh instruments of cooperation.
The two sides were represented by strong delegations representing different ministries and departments.
Apart from finalising preparations for Shaikh Mohammad’s state visit which begins on January 24, the two sides discussed a number of issues — ranging from cooperation in the areas of trade and investments to expanding the bilateral cooperation to new areas under the strategic partnership, including energy security, defence, information technology and space technologies.
“Setting the stage for an important visit. First India-UAE Strategic Dialogue takes place in Delhi before visit of Crown Prince next week,” Indian External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Vikas Swarup tweeted.
According to the Indian ministry, during the visit, Shaikh Mohammad will meet Indian President Pranab Mukherjee and Vice-President Mohammad Hamid Ansari as well as hold discussions with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on bilateral, regional and global issues.
During the three-day visit, Shaikh Mohammad will be accompanied by a high-level delegation, including ministers, senior officials and industry leaders. A 200-member UAE Air Force contingent will march at the Indian Republic Day parade on January 26.
The two countries are expected to sign five memoranda of understanding (MoUs) during the visit, enhancing cooperation in the fields of infrastructure, maritime transport and training, agriculture as well as SMEs.
The strategic dialogue was held after the two countries decided to elevate their mutually beneficial relationship to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership following high-profile visits from both sides in the last couple of years.
Indian Prime Minister Modi
made a landmark visit to the UAE in August 2015, which was followed by Shaikh Mohammad’s first visit to India in February 2016.
Bilateral trade between India and the UAE stood at about $50 billion (Dh183 billion) in 201516. There is a plan to implement a UAE-India Infrastructure Investment Fund with a target of $75 billion (Dh275 billion)
At 2.6 million, Indians form the largest expatriate group in the UAE.