PM Modi and Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Meet: Discuss Stronger Ties

PM Modi and Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Meet: On Monday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi met with Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi. The talks, which took place at Hyderabad House in New Delhi, focused on enhancing the strategic relationship between India and the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

The Crown Prince arrived in India on Sunday and was warmly welcomed by both the Prime Minister and Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal.

Importance of the Visit

The visit underscores the significance both countries place on their bilateral relations. The Crown Prince’s arrival was marked by a ceremonial reception, highlighting India's commitment to strengthening ties with the UAE. The discussions covered a wide range of topics related to future cooperation and mutual interests.

Past Collaborations

India and the UAE have built a strong partnership over recent years. A key milestone was the visit of Prime Minister Modi to the UAE in August 2015, which led to the establishment of a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. In February 2022, they agreed to a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), and in July 2023, they established a Local Currency Settlement (LCS) System to streamline transactions using the Indian Rupee and UAE Dirham.

Economic Ties

The economic relationship between the two nations is robust, with bilateral trade reaching about USD 85 billion in 2022-23. The UAE is one of India's top trading partners and among the top four investors in India, with a strong presence of about 3.5 million Indians living in the UAE.

Regional and Global Engagements

The UAE’s visit to India comes amidst its increasing role in global and regional platforms. The UAE was a special invitee at the G20 summit during India's presidency, joined the India-UAE-France trilateral group in February 2023, and became a dialogue partner in the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) in May 2023. Additionally, the UAE joined BRICS as a member on January 1, with support from India.

Defense and Cooperation

Defense cooperation between India and the UAE has also gained momentum in recent years, reflecting the deepening strategic partnership between the two countries.

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This visit marks a significant step in continuing and expanding the strong relationship between India and the UAE, with both countries looking forward to greater collaboration in various sectors.