INDIA: According to a statement issued by the Ministry of External Affairs on Wednesday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed al Nahyan will hold a virtual summit on February 18, 2022.
Both parties are expected to craft their vision of historic and friendly relations between the two countries, against the backdrop of India’s 75th year of independence and the UAE’s 50th year of existence. The summit will also involve discussion on bilateral cooperation and exchange of views on regional and international issues of mutual interest.
The bilateral relations of the two countries have amplified in all aspects in recent years including a comprehensive strategic partnership.
Bilateral trade, investment, and energy relations have remained strong, and the two countries collaborated closely during the COVID-19 pandemic to address healthcare and food security concerns.
Negotiations for a key initiative, the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), undertaken in September 2021 have been completed. Noting that UAE is India’s third-largest trade partner, the Agreement will take their economic and commercial engagement a step forward.
The two countries are also bolstering their cooperation in new areas of renewable energy, start-ups, fintech, and so on.
PM Modi has expressed appreciation to the leadership of the UAE for supporting the Indian community residing there, close to 3.5 million, during the pandemic.
The latter has also appreciated the contribution of the Indian community in its development, as per the release by the MEA.
Both sides had agreed on an Air Bubble Arrangement in 2020 that enabled the movement of people between the two countries despite the challenges posed by COVID-19.
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