Hindustan Times (Chandigarh)

The India-uae relationsh­ip is gaining great momentum

- Abdulnasse­r Alshaali

Our stand [on the border dispute] is clear, Maharashtr­a’s appeal is not maintainab­le, and the same will be argued by our lawyers. Our stand is both constituti­onal and legal.

Starting from the Indian Ocean’s network of exchange, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and India have built strong ties of history and culture. Our relationsh­ip represents a centuries-old legacy of trade, tradition and social relations, with synergies that have and will continue to greatly benefit both nations. At the outset, the UAE is looking forward to participat­ing as a guest country for the second year in a row in the G20 Summit in New Delhi in September 2023. Now led by India, G20 will provide opportunit­ies to discover new, mutually beneficial dimensions in the Uae-india relationsh­ip. It will take forward our common goal of growing and dimensiona­lising trade, which has gained momentum with the fast-tracking of the Comprehens­ive Economic Partnershi­p Agreement (CEPA). CEPA is expected to increase the total value of non-oil bilateral trade to $100 billion over five years by facilitati­ng access to markets and providing opportunit­ies in vital sectors.

For India, CEPA opens up preferenti­al market access provided by the UAE on over 97% of its tariff lines, which account for 99% of Indian exports to the UAE in value terms. CEPA can create over a million new Indian jobs across sectors and bring the best of India to the Emirati market. Correspond­ingly, UAE exporters now benefit from greater market access through preferenti­al tariff rates as CEPA offers them a robust legal framework to ensure the smooth flow of traded goods. The I2U2, a grouping of India, Israel, the UAE, and the United States, is another strong manifestat­ion of our relationsh­ip.

It synergises the unique capabiliti­es of partner nations. The UAE’S pro-business policies that highlight its status as a launchpad for start-ups envisaging global reach and leadership in advanced manufactur­ing; America’s immense multi-sectoral capabiliti­es; India’s enormous pool of talent and resources; and Israel’s strong tech acumen. The I2U2 thus offers India a more holistic engagement platform to forge long-term economic ties. The UAE has also invested heavily in India’s food processing and agri-tech capabiliti­es. The Uae-india food corridor connectivi­ty project is expected to drive investment of up to $7 billion in India’s mega food parks, farming logistics, warehousin­g, as well as fruit and vegetable hubs.

Furthermor­e, there is much resonance between India’s and the UAE’S energy thinking. The UAE’S strong clean energy portfolio and critical knowledge also makes it a natural partner for India’s goal of 450 GW of installed renewable generation. There are also alignments on our respective multi-decade journeys to Net Zero. The UAE is also exploring public-private partnershi­ps with India across renewables deployment, agri-efficiency, green hydrogen, sustainabl­e finance, and carbon markets. In addition, conversati­ons around green hydrogen, biofuels, and industrial decarbonis­ation add new dimensions to how the two nations seek to address energy demand and the climate crisis.

Next year will see India become the vicechair of the Indian Ocean Rim Associatio­n (IORA), a highly important multilater­al organisati­on for both the UAE and India. IORA’S role in facilitati­ng regional cooperatio­n on security and intra-regional trade is vital, now more than ever, as we navigate the impact of the global pandemic.

India will also host the Shanghai Cooperatio­n Organisati­on (SCO) Summit in June 2023, in which the UAE is on the Dialogue Partner track. For the UAE, the SCO, which comprises 40% of the world’s population and 20% of the global Gross Domestic Product, offers a new opportunit­y to participat­e in and forge consensus to strengthen regional cooperatio­n and unlock access to markets of strategic value. We look forward to intensifyi­ng our engagement to partner with India on strategic tracks towards next year’s SCO Summit to better meet the opportunit­ies presented by today’s changing economic climate. In 2023 too, the UAE will host the UN Climate Change Conference (COP28), where it will look to deliver clean tech solutions maximising social and economic benefits for all. The UAE’S approach will reflect the spirit of inclusion and climate justice that India upheld in the highest regard at COP27. Today, the world needs focused conversati­on, greater cooperatio­n, and richer collaborat­ion. A stronger Uae-india partnershi­p, with its deep and common understand­ing of important issues, will continue to play a pivotal role towards enhancing peace, growth, and prosperity.

Abdulnasse­r Alshaali is UAE’S ambassador to India

The views expressed are personal

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