PM Modi’s successful visit to UAE underscores growing nature of bilateral ties

• Addressed World Governments Summit and lays foundation stone of Bharat Mart to leverage access and reach of strategically located Jebel Ali Port

• Inaugurates BAPS, first Hindu Temple in the country

• Land for hospital for Indian community secured

New Delhi, February 14. India-United Arab Emirates ties acquired a higher trajectory during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Abu Dhabi and Dubai encompassing cooperation across several sectors deepening the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.

On the concluding day of his two-day sojourn, Prime Minister on Wednesday delivered a keynote address at the World Governments Summit as a Guest of Honour shared his thoughts on the altering nature of governance and underscored the transformative reforms undertaken by India on the maxim of ‘Minimum Government and Maximum Governance”.

PM Modi shared how India leveraged digital technology to bring about fundamental change in delivering welfare schemes that reflects inclusivity and sustainability.

On the occasion, he emphasised that given the interconnected nature of the world, governments must collaborate and learn from each other to address future challenges. He said the need of the hour was to have governance that was inclusive, technologically smart, clean and transparent and green.

During his visit to Dubai, at the invitation of UAE, Vice President, Prime Minister and Minister of Defence, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al-Maktoum, PM Modi held discussion on a wide range of areas of bilateral cooperation including trade, investment, technology, space education and people-to-people ties.

Both leaders expressed satisfaction at the pace at which economic and commercial ties were growing, a Prime Minister’s Office release said. It said, the leaders acknowledged the key role played by the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement and welcomed the move to sign the Bilateral Investment Treaty.

PM Modi expressed his deep appreciation to PM Mohamed bin Rashid for grant of land for an Indian Community Hospital in Dubai which will offer affordable healthcare facilities for Indian blue-collar workers. Both leaders also acknowledged the contribution of the Indian Diaspora in the evolution of Dubai into a global hub for trade, services and tourism.

Foundation stone for Bharat Mart

PM Modi and the Vice President who is also Ruler of Dubai, virtually laid the foundation stone of Bharat Mart at Jebel Ali Free Trade Z one in Dubai. The Mart, to be built by DP World, is expected to take the India-UAE bilateral trade by leveraging the Port’s strategic location and strength in logistics.

PM Modi said the Bharat Mart has the potential to play an important role in promoting exports of the micro, small and medium sectors of India by providing them an effective platform to reach out to international buyers in the Gulf, West Asia, Africa and Eurasia.

Separately in a joint statement issued at the end of the visit, PM Modi and President Mohammed bin Zayed Al-Nahyan, the leaders welcomed the decision to create Bharat Mart. They said it will further promote bilateral trade and serve as a platform for enhancing the utilisation of CEPA by leveraging the strategic location of the port.

Inaugurates BAPS temple

The PM also graced over a function at Abu Dhabi. It was the inauguration of the Bochasanwasi Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha (BAPS) Temple, the first Hindu shrine in the country. Ahead of its formal inauguration, the consecration ceremony was held by the priests who conducted the rituals.

The 108-feet temple is built in the Nagara style of architecture and stands in the desert of Abu Mureikha. It was constructed by 1.8 lakh cubic meters of sandstone transported to Rajasthan. It is estimated to have been built at a cost of Rs. 700 crore and built on 13.5 acres of land gifted in 2015 by then Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi Sheikh Mohammed to the Indian community.

In the statement, the PM thanked the President for his personal support and his graciousness in granting the land for the construction of the temple. Both sides noted that the temple is a celebration of the bilateral friendship, deep-rooted cultural bonds which unite the two nations and also an embodiment of the UAE’s global commitment to harmony, tolerance and peaceful co-existence.

Other aspects of relationship

Besides taking note of the upswing in the nature of relationship, several agreements and foray into FinTech, in the joint statement the two leaders underscored the importance of a well-functioning and equitable multilateral trading system in fostering global economic prosperity and resilience, and stressed the importance for the 13th WTO Ministerial Conference, to be held in Abu Dhabi from February 26-29, 2024, to achieve a meaningful outcome that serves the interests of all WTO Members and strengthens the rules-based trade order.

The two leaders discussed ways to enhance their bilateral partnership in the energy sector, which includes oil, gas, and renewable energy. They acknowledged the recent signing of two new long-term LNG supply agreements between ADNOC Gas and Indian Oil Corporation Ltd and Gas Authority of India Ltd (GAIL) for 1.2 MMTPA and 0.5 MMTPA, respectively. These agreements mark the beginning of a new era in the energy partnership between the two countries, and both leaders encouraged the companies to explore more such opportunities. Furthermore, the two sides agreed to advance their cooperation in hydrogen, solar energy, and grid connectivity.

Acknowledging that the Memorandum of Understanding in the field of Electricity Interconnection and Trade signed during the visit opens a new area of energy cooperation between the two countries, the leader said it will also bring to life the Green Grids – One Sun One World One Grid (OSOWOG) initiative launched during by Prime Minister Modi during COP26. . They expressed confidence that the MoU would further boost energy cooperation and connectivity between both countries.

Cultural and educational connect

Both leaders noted that the cooperation protocol between the National Archives of the two countries and the MoU for cooperation with National Maritime Heritage Complex at Lothal, Gujarat will help in restoring the centuries old roots of India-UAE relationship and preserving the treasures of shared history.

The two leaders appreciated the commencement of the first Master’s program in Energy Transition and Sustainability by the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Delhi in Abu Dhabi, the first IIT in West Asia. They reiterated the shared commitment of both countries for cooperation in education and research with a focus on advanced technologies, Artificial Intelligence, and sustainable energy.

Reviewing the progress of establishing the UAE-India Culture Council Forum and the membership of the council from both sides, the two leaders also emphasized the role of cultural and knowledge diplomacy in shaping a deeper mutual understanding that benefits both nations.