New Delhi, December 14. India and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) reviewed their entire gamut of bilateral relations during the Fourth Strategic Dialogue and 15th Joint Commission meeting between the sides held in New Delhi.
According to a statement issued by the Ministry of External Affairs, during the Strategic Dialogue held on Thursday, the two sides held discussions to expand the strategic partnership in several areas, including defence, emerging technologies, nuclear energy, polar research, critical minerals and renewable energy, among others. The two sides also discussed regional and international issues of mutual interest.
The Joint Commission Meeting held on December 13 was co-chaired by External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of the UAE Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan. They were joined by Vikram Misri, Foreign Secretary of India, Abdullah bin Touq Al Marri, UAE Minister of Economy, Reem Al Hashimy, UAE Minister of State for International Cooperation and Special Envoy for India, Ahmed Ali Al Sayegh, UAE Minister of State for Economic and Trade Affairs, ambassadors and and senior officials from both sides.
According to the Ministry statement, both ministers acknowledged the tremendous growth in bilateral relations since the elevation of bilateral ties to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in 2017, which has been nurtured by the strong bonds of friendship between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and the people of the two countries.
“Both ministers welcomed the signing and entry into force of the India-UAE Bilateral Investment Treaty,” the statement reads. “They reaffirmed the strong trade relationship between the UAE and India, further enhanced by the India-UAE Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA). They commended the strong cooperation between the two central banks, particularly in the fintech sector, and the development of public digital infrastructure, including Central Bank Digital Currencies (CBDC), instant payments, and card schemes.”
The Ministry further stated that the two sides also discussed the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEEC), a major initiative aimed at improving maritime connectivity and trade between India, the UAE, and Europe.
“Welcoming the recent launch of the work on the Virtual Trade Corridor (VTC) between the two countries and the MAITRI (Master Application for International Trade and Regulatory Interface) interface, they acknowledged that VTC and MAITRI will streamline trade processes through a data exchange system that facilitates paperless transactions between the two countries,” the statement reads.
Jaishankar and Al Nahyan appreciated the robust cooperation in the energy sector between the two countries, including the desire to deepen ongoing collaboration in areas such as long-term supply agreements, collaboration in upstream and downstream projects, mutual investment in strategic reserves etc. They also welcomed the expansion of cooperation in new areas of partnership such as nuclear energy, critical minerals and green hydrogen.
“External Affairs Minister of India thanked the UAE leadership for the care and hospitality extended to the 3.89 million Indians in the UAE,” the statement further reads. “The Deputy Prime Minister and the Foreign Minister of the UAE appreciated the contribution of the Indian community to UAE’s progress and development. Both sides agreed to hold the meetings of various institutional dialogues to resolve consular issues and enhance collaboration in skills and manpower in the coming months.”
On the sidelines of the JCM, a memorandum of understanding (MoU) between the Emirates Polar Mission Steering Committee, UAE, and the National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research (NCPOR), India. was signed. The MoU will facilitate cooperation between the two sides in the fields of polar and oceanic regions through partnerships in polar operations, research and academic collaborations, capacity building and supporting each other’s presence at the poles.
Ahead of the Strategic Dialogue and the Joint Commission Meeting, Al Nahyan called on Prime Minister Modi on December 12.
The two leaders, according to a separate press release issued by the Ministry, emphasised strengthening Comprehensive Strategic Partnership including in the areas of technology, energy, and people-to-people ties.
Modi laid special emphasis on the implementation of the IMEEC as a historic initiative to foster regional connectivity and prosperity. On his part, Al Nahyan shared perspective on the prevailing situation in West Asia.
“Prime Minister reiterated India’s commitment to support long term peace, stability and security of the region,” the press release stated.
The meetings assume significance as these come amidst the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza and in the wake of the ouster of Bashar al-Assad regime in Syria.
