UAE Foreign Minister to visit India with keeping ‘comprehensive strategic partnership between two countries on top

NewsBharati    23-Jun-2018
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New Delhi, June 23: In a bid to strengthen the comprehensive strategic partnership between the two countries, the Foreign Minister of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan will be on a week-long visit to India from Sunday.

 

During the visit from June 24-30, Abdullah will also call on Prime Minister Narendra Modi besides holding official talks with Sushma Swaraj. The External Affairs Ministry in a statement said, “Apart from the official programme in New Delhi, the visit also includes engagements in other States.”

The MEA also said, “He would also be meeting other Union ministers and governors and chief ministers of the states being visited by him”. “The present visit would provide the two sides with the opportunity to further strengthen their Comprehensive Strategic Partnership,” the MEA said.

Abdullah will be accompanied by a senior-level delegation on the 6-day visit.

BACKGROUND:

Prime Minister Narendra Modi had visited the UAE in August 2015 when the two countries decided to elevate their relations to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. Prime Minister had another successful visit to UAE in February 2018. While Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan had visited India in February 2016 and later in January 2017 as the Chief Guest at the Republic Day celebrations.

India and the UAE enjoy warm, close and multi-faceted relations underpinned by historic, cultural, religious and economic linkages which stand elevated to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. The UAE is India’s third-largest trade partner and sixth-largest supplier of our energy needs.

Several significant developments have taken place in the recent past including awarding of a 10% stake to Indian consortium in Lower Zakum offshore field, a participation of UAE in India's strategic petroleum reserves, investments by the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority in infrastructure and increasing engagements in energy, food security, logistics, space etc.

A 3.3 million-strong Indian community, largest in the Gulf region, has made the UAE its second home and is contributing to its development.

Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan had visited India earlier in September 2015 and had also accompanied the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi during his visits. The present visit would provide the two sides with the opportunity to further strengthen their Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.