New dawn in UAE-India ties
abu dhabi — The UAE-India relations are set to get a big push as His Highness Shaikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, starts his three-day visit to India today. Shaikh Mohammed will be the chief guest at the Republic Day parade.
The visit comes at the time of a paradigm shift witnessed in the world and when both the nations are establishing themselves as harbingers of change, peace and prosperity.
A clear vision, blended with right strategy, has led to a towering growth of the two nations. The UAE has grown from strength to strength building on the strong foundation laid by its founding father, the late Shaikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan.
The baton has been ably carried forward by the President, His Highness Shaikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan. India, for a change, is on a cruise mode of innovation and growth. At every world conference recently held in Abu Dhabi, one adage that stood out is — India is the new China.
And never has an Indian leader set sights on the Gulf region like Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He tirelessly engaged in bolstering ties with the West and the East in equal measures. August 2015 saw Modi take relations to a new level by engaging affably with Shaikh Mohammed bin Zayed.
In the New World Order where oil has taken a back seat and the White House has a new occupant, ties between Abu Dhabi and New Delhi are very crucial. So, for the Narendra Modi government, the acceptance of an invite by Shaikh Mohammed is a diplomatic milestone of historic significance.
And ever since, the level of engagement has shifted gears with increased communication and diplomatic visits. Both countries possess the same hunger and ambition to grow — a potent combo that makes this partnership a win-win.
The focus, though, isn’t just oil. India and the UAE are set to boost relations and strategic partnerships across many fields.
What make the engagement special and significant are peopleto-people relations. Emiratis and Indians enjoy centuries-old cultural and economic connections.
Shaikh Mohammed once said: “The Republic of India is considered an effective regional and international force, which has a significant role in ensuring stability in the region and the world. The UAE looks forward to effective Indian contributions in tackling the challenges and dangers faced by the region and the world, finding fair solutions to the problems, crises and tensions in the Middle East, especially in light of India’s international policy, its balance and wisdom, and how it is widely accepted regionally and internationally.”
The UAE and India are to expand counter-terrorism cooperation, plug illicit cash flows and also strengthen defence. A 20-member UAE business delegation is set to hold talks with their Indian counterparts during the next few days. Bilateral trade during the first half of 2016 was around $17 billion and countries aim to raise trade by 60 per cent to $100 billion by 2020.
ashwani@khaleejtimes.com