Govt inks 4 key pacts with UAE

Simran Sodhi

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, February 11

India and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) today signed four major agreements across various sectors that will help provide a major boost to the bilateral relationship.

The agreements were signed during the visit of Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and deputy supreme commander of the armed forces of the UAE to India.

Four Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) were signed today in the areas of cyber security, renewable energy, currency swap and infrastructure investment.

“The strength of a multifaceted relationship. The leaders witness the exchange of four agreements across various sectors,” External Affairs Ministry spokesman Vikas Swarup said after the agreements were exchanged by officials from both sides in the presence of Sheikh Mohamed and Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Before the signings of the agreements, the Crown Prince and Modi held bilateral talks.

Earlier in the day, President Pranab Mukherjee hosted a private lunch for the Crown Prince, which was attended by Modi, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj, other dignitaries from India and the UAE as well as business leaders.

“The President said it was a matter of great satisfaction that the two countries have decided to elevate their relations to a comprehensive strategic partnership,” a statement issued by the President’s Secretariat said.

The UAE has already committed investments worth $75 billion through the establishment of UAE-India Infrastructure Investment Fund. This promise of investment was made during the visit of Modi to UAE in August last year. It was the first visit by an Indian PM to UAE in three decades.

Accompanying the Crown Prince on his visit here are seven ministers, including those in charge of foreign affairs, the interior ministry, energy, economy, labour and renewable energy.