Prime Minister Narendra Modi met with the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, HH Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, on Monday. The leaders engaged in discussions covering a broad spectrum of topics, reflecting the depth of the India-UAE partnership.
The Crown Prince is on a two-day official visit to India, from September 9 to 10, at the invitation of PM Modi. This marks his first official visit to the country in his capacity as Crown Prince. Upon his arrival in New Delhi, he was welcomed by Minister of Commerce and Industry, Piyush Goyal, and received a ceremonial Guard of Honour.
PM Modi shared a message on X, stating, “It was a delight to welcome HH Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi. We had fruitful talks on a wide range of issues.” He also highlighted the Crown Prince’s commitment to strengthening the India-UAE relationship.
Both leaders expressed their satisfaction with the progress made in recent years under the India-UAE Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. They discussed opportunities to expand cooperation across all sectors. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) outlined the areas of focus, which included nuclear energy, critical minerals, green hydrogen, artificial intelligence, and emerging technologies. The success of the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) and the Bilateral Investment Treaty (BIT) was also acknowledged, with both leaders agreeing that these agreements would further boost the economic ties between the two nations.
Several Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) were signed during the visit. One key MoU on Nuclear Cooperation aims to enhance collaboration in the maintenance of nuclear power plants, sourcing nuclear goods and services from India, and exploring mutual investment opportunities.
An agreement for the long-term supply of 1 million metric tonnes per annum (MMTPA) of LNG was signed, further securing India’s energy supply. This follows two similar agreements previously signed by IOCL and GAIL with Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC).
Another MoU between ADNOC and the Indian Strategic Petroleum Reserve Ltd. (ISPRL) allows for expanded collaboration on crude storage in India. This agreement builds on ADNOC’s existing involvement in ISPRL’s Mangalore Cavern since 2018.
In a significant development, Urja Bharat, a joint venture between IOCL and Bharat Petro Resources Ltd, signed a Production Concession Agreement with ADNOC for Abu Dhabi Onshore Block 1. This is the first agreement of its kind for an Indian company in the UAE and will allow crude oil to be brought to India, enhancing energy security.
Further cooperation is expected in the food sector, with the MoU on Food Parks aiming to develop a site in Gundanpara, Bavla, Ahmedabad. The project is set to begin in Q2 2025 with support from the Gujarat government.
The Crown Prince is also scheduled to visit Mumbai tomorrow, where he will participate in the India-UAE Business Forum. This event will provide a platform for business leaders and officials from both countries to explore new avenues for cooperation. Additionally, a soft launch of the India-UAE Virtual Trade Corridor (VTC) and the MAITRI interface will take place.
(ANI)
