UAE and India sign partnership agreement

New Delhi - The UAE and India signed 14 new Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) and agreements.

The UAE and India have shaped "an ambitious roadmap of engagement" for the future and created new "synergy" in ties between the two nations, according to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Modi's comments came as the UAE and India signed 14 new Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) and agreements covering a variety of areas, ranging from an agreement on a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership which has "institutionalized" the understanding between the two countries to defence and maritime cooperation, cyberspace, energy, Small and Medium Enterprises and agriculture.
In his remarks delivered at New Delhi's Hyderabad House alongside His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nayan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, Modi said that the meeting was focused on the implementation of agreements made during two previous meetings, in February 2015 and August 2015.
"We agreed to sustain the momentum of our relations in key areas, including energy and investments," he said. "We regard UAE as an important partner in India's growth story."
Importantly, Modi noted that the two countries "are working to connect institutional investors in the UAE with our National Investment Fund", and conveyed to Sheikh Mohamed the interest that Indian investors, for their part, have in becoming partners for infrastructure projects in the UAE for Expo 2020.
"We can jointly tap abundant opportunities in our initiatives aimed at building digital economy, human capital and smart urbanization in India," he added. "We are also encouraging and facilitating business and industry of both countries to increase the quality and quantum bilateral trade."
Security was also high on the agenda at the meeting.
"We have agreed to expand our useful cooperation in the field of defence to new areas including in the maritime domain. The MoU on Defence Cooperation, signed earlier today, will help steer our defence engagements in the right direction," Modi noted. "We also feel that our growing engagement in countering violence and extremism is necessary for securing our societies."
Good relations between India and the UAE, Modi said, will ultimately benefit "the entire neighbourhood", in which both countries share an interest in maintaining peace and stability, whether in the West Asia, the Gulf, or Afghanistan. 
"Our convergence can help stabilize the region and our economic partnership can be a source of regional and global prosperity," he said. "Our shared concern on growing threat from radicalism and terrorism to the safety and security of our people is shaping our cooperation in this space."
Lastly, Modi thanked Sheikh Mohamed for "looking after the welfare" of the 2.6 million members of the Indian diaspora who call the UAE home, and for his allocation of land for a temple in Abu Dhabi.
"Moving forward, our cooperation stands poised for a major take off," Modi told Sheikh Mohamed. "I am confident..that your visit will build on the strong gains and understanding of our previous interactions, and shape its future framework marked by depth, drive and diversification of our partnership."
bernd@khaleejtimes.com

List of agreements -Agreement on Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between the Republic of India and the UAE -MoU between the Ministry of Defence of the Government of the Republic of India and the Ministry of Defence of the Government of UAE on cooperation in the field of Defence Industry -MoU between the Government of the Republic of India and the Government of the UAE on Institutional Cooperation on Maritime Transport -MOU between the Directorate General of Shipping, Republic of India and the Federal Transport Authority- Land and Maritime in the 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 thereof -MoU between the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways of the Republic of India and the Federal Transport Authority, Land and Maritime of the UAE on Bilateral Cooperation in the Road Transport and Highways Sector -MOU between the Government of the Republic of India and the Government of UAE on cooperation in prevention and combating of human trafficking -MoU for the cooperation in the field of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) and innovation between the Ministry of Economy of United Arab Emirates and Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MoSMSME) of the Republic of India -MoU between the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare of the Republic of India and the Ministry of Climate Change & Environment of UAE in agriculture and Allied sectors -MOU between the Government of the Republic of India and the Government of UAE on mutual exemption of entry visa requirements to the holders of Diplomatic, special and Official Passports -MoU between Prasar Bharati, India and Emirates News Agency (WAM), UAE for cooperation in programme exchange -MoU between the Ministry of Commerce and Industry of the Republic of India and the Ministry of Economy of United Arab Emirates on trade remedial measures to promote cooperation in areas of mutual interest. -Agreement on Oil Storage And Management between Indian Strategic Petroleum Reserves Limited and Abu Dhabi National Oil Company -MOU between National Productivity Council and Al Etihad Energy Services Co. LLC -MOU between National Security Council Secretariat of India & National Electronic Security Authority of the UAE

• UAE
• India