The NEWS FREEDOM
NEW DELHI, FEBRUARY 13
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President of the UAE, Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, engaged in one-on-one and delegation-level discussions to assess the bilateral partnership and explore avenues for further cooperation. The leaders acknowledged the strengthened comprehensive strategic partnership, emphasizing its expansion into various sectors such as trade and investment, digital infrastructure, fintech, energy, infrastructure, culture, and people-to-people ties. The discussions also delved into regional and global issues of mutual interest.
Key Agreements
- Bilateral Investment Treaty: A significant step to encourage investments in both nations, complementing previous agreements such as the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement.
- MoU on Electrical Interconnection and Trade: This agreement expands collaboration in energy, focusing on areas like energy security and trade.
- Intergovernmental Framework Agreement on the India-Middle East Economic Corridor: A platform to build on existing cooperation and improve regional connectivity.
- MoU on Digital Infrastructure Projects: Establishes a framework for cooperation in digital infrastructure, including investment and knowledge sharing.
- Cooperation Protocol between National Archives: Facilitates extensive cooperation in archival matters, including preservation and restoration.
- MoU for Heritage and Museum Cooperation: Aims to support projects like the Maritime Heritage Complex at Lothal, Gujarat.
- Agreement on Interlinking Payment Platforms – UPI (India) and AANI (UAE): Facilitates seamless cross-border transactions, following a previous agreement signed during the Prime Minister’s visit to Abu Dhabi.
- Agreement on Interlinking Domestic Debit/Credit Cards – RuPay (India) with JAYWAN (UAE): Enhances financial sector cooperation, promoting universal acceptance of RuPay in the UAE.
Additionally, Prime Minister Modi congratulated President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan on the launch of UAE’s domestic card JAYWAN, based on the RuPay digital credit and debit card stack. The leaders observed a transaction made using the JAYWAN card.
They also discussed strengthening energy partnerships, noting the UAE’s significant role as a supplier of crude and LPG, along with India’s increasing engagement through long-term LNG contracts.
Ahead of the visit, agreements were signed by RITES Limited with Abu Dhabi Ports Company and Gujarat Maritime Board with Abu Dhabi Ports Company, aimed at bolstering port infrastructure and connectivity between the two nations.
Prime Minister Modi expressed gratitude to President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan for his support, particularly for granting land for the construction of the BAPS Temple in Abu Dhabi. Both leaders acknowledged the temple as a symbol of UAE-India friendship and cultural ties, reflecting the UAE’s commitment to harmony and peaceful coexistence.