UAE, India hope to seal comprehensive deal

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UAE, India hope to seal comprehensive deal
Indian Ambassador to the UAE Navdeep Singh Suri

Abu Dhabi - India and the UAE are in the process of finalising major agreements

by

Suchitra Steven Samuel

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Published: Thu 12 Jan 2017, 8:48 PM

Last updated: Fri 13 Jan 2017, 12:42 PM

THIS IS NO ordinary relationship. Mere economic deals are passe. Depth is what matters. Both the UAE and India are keen to expand the scope of their long-standing partnership to something deeper and comprehensive. Navdeep Singh Suri, Ambassador of India to the UAE has taken charge at a time when New Delhi is working on a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership with the UAE.
"Hopefully, we will finalise this new and broad agreement during the visit to India of His Highness Shaikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, on January 26," said the diplomat, in an exclusive interview with Khaleej Times.
This opens the doors to new areas of co-operation. "We always talk about energy, security, about Indian community and labour issues, but now we are talking about defence cooperation, collaboration between security agencies and a common fight against terrorism and radicalisation around the world."
"Of course, we are talking about translating into reality the commitment made by the UAE government to invest $75 billion into India's infrastructure. I have a broad menu in front of me and I hope that in the next year or two, I am able to move our agenda forward in concrete and tangible ways."
The diplomat said bilateral trade between India and the UAE is in the range of $58 billion. "India remains UAE's largest trading partner and the UAE is the third largest trading partner to India after China and the US. Beyond just the trade, it is the depth of the relationship that is emerging today. It is the trust that we see from UAE companies in investing in India. They see India as a long-term, stable destination. I always say that it is important to go beyond just trade."
Suri said the UAE is a leading player in ports, airports, highways and construction. "We hope that we can encourage some of the top companies in the UAE to either undertake investments or expand their investments in India, in real estate or petrochemicals, for example."
The ambassador has received positive feedback from UAE companies. "In my conversations with major UAE companies I see that they are very aware of the opportunities in India, which is natural. It shows we are close to each other but there is also an expectation that as our reform process goes forward, it will become an easier destination for UAE companies to do business in India. This is something that we are committed to working on."
Shaikh Mohammed bin Zayed's visit will truly be a milestone. "Every year India receives 30 or 40 heads of state or heads of governments. Over all, we have 90 plus high-level visitors to India each year but only one of them is chosen to be a chief guest for the Republic Day. This is an indication of the importance that India is giving to this relationship," Suri continued.
"The visit also sends a message to more than a billion Indians who are watching the Republic Day Parade that 'look this visitor and country are very important to us'. So, apart from the fact that the world's eyes are on India's Republic Day event, there will be a focus on the 'Chief Guest of the Day'. In terms of the symbolism that when we have His Highness Shaikh Mohammed bin Zayed with us, it is significant," he said.
Beyond this, India and the UAE are in the process of finalising major agreements. "Once the announcements are made after January 26, you will agree with me that this is a truly milestone visit that has taken the relationship to the next level."
A contingent from the UAE Air Force is expected to participate at the Republic Day Parade. "It is a matter of great joy for us that they will be marching side by side with their Indian counterparts and that again is a very visual symbol of the closeness between the two countries," Suri added.
- suchitra@khaleejtimes.com
Watch out for the full interview on January 26 in the India Republic Day report
 


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