India, UAE ink 6 pacts, review bilateral ties during PM Narendra Modi’s visit
Sandeep Dikshit
New Delhi, February 13
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and UAE Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan on Tuesday held talks in Abu Dhabi and witnessed the inking of half a dozen pacts, including one on the India-Middle-East-Europe corridor and another on protecting bilateral investments.
Modi arrived in Abu Dhabi on an official visit to the UAE. In a special gesture, he was received at the airport by Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, and thereafter, accorded a ceremonial welcome.
In their talks, the two leaders welcomed the deepening of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership across sectors, including trade and investment, digital infrastructure, fintech, energy, infrastructure, culture and people-to-people ties. Discussions also covered regional and global issues.
The two leaders witnessed the exchange of documents relating to bilateral investment treaty which would be a key enabler for further promoting investments in both countries.
An MoU on energy collaboration would open new areas of collaboration in the field of energy, including energy security and energy trade.
An inter-governmental framework agreement on the India -Middle East corridor would build on previous understandings and cooperation on this matter and foster India and the UAE cooperation furthering regional connectivity, said an MEA statement.
They also witnessed the signing of an agreement on interlinking of the instant payment platforms – UPI (India) and AANI (UAE) and a pact on inter-linking domestic debit/credit cards – RuPay (India) with JAYWAN (UAE).
The leaders also discussed the strengthening of energy partnership. They appreciated that in addition to the UAE being among the largest sources of crude and LPG, India is now entering into long-term contracts for LNG.
Ahead of the visit, RITES Limited and Gujarat Maritime Board has signed agreement with Abu Dhabi Ports Company. These would help in building port infrastructure and further enhance connectivity between the two countries.
