Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Three Day Visit to India

The Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan was on a three day visit to India from January 25-27, 2017 to be the Chief Guest at the 68th Republic Day Celebration on January 26, 2017 in New Delhi.

• Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE armed forces was personally received by PM Modi at the Delhi Airport and was given a ceremonial reception at the Rashtrapati Bhawan. He also paid tribute to Mahatma Gandhi at his memorial Rajghat.
• He is accompanied by a high-level delegation including ministers, senior officials and captains of industry. A contingent of the UAE armed forces will also march with the Indian armed forces at the Republic Day Parade.
• The visit of the foreign guest also aims to elevate the bilateral relation between the two countries to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.
• The UAE Crown Prince held one-on-one meeting with PM Modi, Vice President, Mohammad Hamid Ansari, and the President, Pranab Mukherjee.

The visit also marks a historic and proud moment for the UAE and the Arab World as for the first time its troops comprising a mix from the army, navy and air force lead the parade at 68th Republic Day celebration in New Delhi.

India and UAE Signs 14 Agreements to Strengthen Bilateral Cooperation on elevating bilateral ties to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership

• In order to further boost strategic ties, India and United Arab Emirates (UAE) signed 14 agreements on January 25, 2017 after the delegation-level talks between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan at the Hyderabad House, New Delhi.
• The area of MoUs included defence, comprehensive strategic partnership, shipping, agriculture, prevention and combating human trafficking and other allied sectors.

List of MoUs Signed Between India and UAE

1.Agreement on Comprehensive Strategic Partnership

Aim: Bilateral cooperation in areas identified under the comprehensive strategic partnership that was agreed upon in the high-level joint statements issued in the August 2015 and February 2016.

2.MoU for Cooperation in the field of Defence Industry between India’s Ministry of Defence and Ministry of Defence, UAE

Aim: Cooperation in defence manufacturing and technology, cooperation between public and private sector institutions of the two countries and cooperation in areas of armaments, defence industries and transfer of technology.

3.MoU in Institutional Cooperation on Maritime Transport

Aim: Enhancing bilateral maritime trade ties through facilitating maritime transport, free transfer of monies between contracting parties and reciprocal recognition of ships’ documents.

4.MOU between Directorate General of Shipping, India and Federal Transport Authority- Land and Maritime, UAE on Mutual Recognition of Certificates of Competency as per the provisions of the Standards of Training, Certification and Watch-keeping Convention (STCW78) and amendments 

Aim: Deepen the maritime economic activities in general by establishing a framework for Mutual Recognition of Certificates of Competency of marine officers, engineers and crews.

5.MoU between Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, India and Federal Transport Authority, Land and Maritime, UAE on Bilateral Cooperation in road, transport and highways sector

Aim: Sharing of technologies, systems and best practices in freight logistics, warehousing and value added services.

6.MOU on cooperation in prevention and combating of human trafficking

Aim: Enhance bilateral cooperation on the issue of prevention, rescue, recovery and repatriation related to human trafficking, especially of women and children expeditiously.

7.MoU for cooperation in the field of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) and innovation between Ministry of Economy, United Arab Emirates and Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MoSMSME), India

Aim:Promote cooperation in MSMEs Sectors, including in joint projects, R & D and related activities.

8.MoU between Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare, India and Ministry of Climate Change & Environment, UAE in agriculture and Allied sectors

Aim:Develop a framework for cooperation in various agricultural fields of mutual interest including cooperation in food processing and transfer of technology in cultivation methods.

9.MOU on mutual exemption of entry visa requirements to the holders of diplomatic, special and official passports

Aim:Allow holders of diplomatic, special and official passports visa-free travel between the two countries.

10.MoU between Prasar Bharati, India and Emirates News Agency (WAM), UAE for cooperation in programme exchange

Aim:Strengthen ties between Prasar Bharati and Emirates News Agency (WAM), UAE through cooperation in the field of broadcasting, mutual exchange of programmes, news and best practices.

11.MoU between Ministry of Commerce and Industry, India and Ministry of Economy, UAE on trade remedial measures to promote cooperation in areas of mutual interest

Aim:Enhance cooperation in the field of anti-dumping and allied duties through exchange of information, capacity-building, seminars and trainings in mutually identified areas related to trade remedial measures.

12.Agreement on Oil Storage and Management between Indian Strategic Petroleum Reserves Limited and Abu Dhabi National Oil Company

Aim:Establish a framework for the storage of crude oil by Abu Dhabi National Oil Company in India and further strengthen the strategic relationship between the two countries in the field of energy.

13.MOU between National Productivity Council and Al Etihad Energy Services Co. LLC for Cooperation in Energy Efficiency Services.

14.MOU between National Security Council Secretariat, India and National Electronic Security Authority, UAE for technology development and cooperation in cyberspace.

UAE-India Bilateral Trade Accounted for USD 17 billion during 1st half of 2016

During the first half of 2016, the bilateral trade between the UAE and India was calculated at USD 17 billion. Out of this, UAE’s import from India rose to USD 11 billion while the non-oil exports to India reached USD 6 billion during the same period.

• In 2015, the total value of Emirati investments in India was estimated at US$ 9 billion.
• India is the second largest trading partner of UAE after China. UAE is the largest Arab investor in India and the 11th foreign investor in terms of Foreign Direct Investments (FDIs).
• UAE investments in India span over a number of sectors, including construction, energy, metal industries, services, software and systems, petroleum products, precious metals, chemicals and wood products.

India-UAE Develops Strategy to Further Increase Trade Ties by 60 Percent

India and the UAE committed to further boost wide-range of bilateral engagements in strategic areas of security, defence, energy. Both the nations decided to set up an action plan by June 2017 comprising of a medium and long term strategy to further increase bilateral trade by 60 percent over the next five years.

• The two countries aims at increasing trade by 60 percent to US$ 100 billion, reaching US$ 368 billion by 2020.
• The areas would focus on identification of potential sectors and the impeding tariff and non-tariff barriers, exploring opportunities in services sector and formulating a sector-specific strategy to boost two way trade and investments, it added.

PGCIL, ADWEA Signs MoU for Cooperation in Power Transmission

A Central Power Sector PSU & Central Transmission Utility, Power Grid Corporation of India Limited (PGCIL), signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Abu Dhabi Water & Electricity Authority (ADWEA) & its group of companies on January 25, 2017 in Gurgaon, for cooperation in power sector.

• The MoU was signed between Saeed Al Suwaidi, the Managing Director of Abu Dhabi Distribution Co (UAE), and Anil Mehra, the Executive Director- International Business of Power Grid Corporation.
• The main aim of this MoU is to cooperate in area such as smart grid; transmission technology and providing capability development; and training in the field of operation & maintenance, asset management, project management, power transmission & distribution, etc.
• The Indian Central Transmission Utility will also assist ADWEA in setting up an advanced ‘World Class Capability Development institute’ in the UAE.

India & UAE Resolves to Counter Terrorism Posing Threat to Peace & Security

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the visiting Crown Prince issued a joint statement on January 26, 2017 to oppose terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, wherever committed and by whomever, and declared that there could be no justification for terrorism anywhere.

• The two leaders jointly resolved to cooperate on counter-terrorism by adopting a policy of zero tolerance towards the menace of terrorism and promote peace and security in the country.
• Both the sides agreed to coordinate efforts to counter radicalization and misuse of religion by groups and countries for inciting hatred and perpetrating acts of terrorism.
• It emphasized the need to facilitate regular exchanges of religious scholars and intellectuals and to organize conferences and seminars to promote the values of peace, tolerance, inclusiveness and welfare that are inherent in all religions
• Both leaders emphasized the importance of promoting a culture of inclusiveness, openness and tolerance within and among societies and agreed to work together closely to confront the global ills of extremism, terrorism and religious intolerance.

United Arab Emirates

• Capital: Abu Dhabi
• Currency: United Arab Emirates dirham
• President: Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahya