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Bilateral talks between PM Narendra Modi and UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan will pave the way for closer collaboration in energy, education, healthcare and culture
NEW DELHI: Prime minister Narendra Modi is set to embark on an official visit to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) on July 15th.
This visit holds significant importance as it marks PM Modi’s fifth visit to the UAE since 2014, highlighting the priority given to strengthening the relationship with the UAE as part of India’s assertive new Gulf policy under the Extended Neighbourhood Policy.
During his visit, Prime Minister Modi will travel to Abu Dhabi, where he will hold talks with Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the President of the UAE and the Ruler of Abu Dhabi.
Last year, PM Modi met with President Al Nahyan during a stopover in the UAE on his way back from the G7 Summit in Germany. This upcoming visit serves as an opportunity to build upon the previous discussions and further deepen the ties between the two nations.
Bilateral talks between Prime Minister Modi and President Al Nahyan will focus on various crucial areas, including energy, food security, and defence.
“The India-UAE Comprehensive Strategic Partnership has been steadily strengthening, and this visit provides an excellent opportunity to identify avenues for advancing cooperation across multiple domains such as energy, education, healthcare, food security, fintech, defence, and culture,” the Ministry of External Affairs stated.
In line with enhancing trade and investment between both countries, a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) was signed on February 18, 2022, between the Governments of India and the UAE.
The CEPA is expected to provide a significant boost to bilateral trade, which reached approximately USD 72 billion in the fiscal year 2021-22.
The UAE stands as India’s third-largest trade partner and second-largest export destination. Furthermore, the UAE’s Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in India has been continuously increasing, with the current FDI standing at over USD 12 billion.
“The visit will also serve as an opportune moment to discuss cooperation on global issues, particularly in the context of the UAE’s presidency of COP-28 of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and India’s G-20 presidency, where the UAE is a special invitee,” MEA stated.
It further added that both nations can collaborate on addressing pressing global challenges and strengthening their collective efforts.
In February, India, France, and the UAE expressed their shared intent to formalise a trilateral initiative focusing on nuclear energy collaboration and exploring opportunities in the Indian Ocean region. This initiative aims to facilitate cooperation projects in energy, particularly in the fields of solar and nuclear energy, as well as combating climate change and protecting biodiversity, with a specific focus on the Indian Ocean region.
During his brief stopover on June 28, 2022, PM Modi visited Abu Dhabi and called on President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan. This meeting marked the first in-person interaction between the two leaders since August 2019, further emphasising the importance of personal ties and the condolences conveyed by PM Modi on the passing away of Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan.
