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The fast pace of emerging security and the growing geostrategic importance of the Indo-Pacific have brought the GCC states and India together on the same platform. The relationship of India with the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries like UAE, Qatar and Saudi Arabia depends on trade and commerce. Since the establishment of India- UAE relations in 1972, the bilateral relations and the level of engagement have increased and have moved in a positive direction.
PM Narendra Modi’s planned visit to UAE-
India’s foreign policy has gone through many changes in approach since Prime Minister Narendra Modi became PM in 2014. In 2015, Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited the United Arab Emirates(UAE), strengthening the economic factors, defence and security. It further strengthened the ties when the Crown Prince of UAE, Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayad Al Nahyan visited New Delhi to be part of the celebration of Republic day of the following year. The Joint Statement on the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership Agreement was signed.
PM Modi to visit UAE for defence cooperation-
India’s –UAE relations had recently gained momentum after 2003 in defence when the chief of staff of UAE armed forces visited India. These visits and exchanges led to the holding of the Desert Eagle bilateral exercises between the Indian Air Force (IAF) & UAE Air Force (UAE- AF). This exercise gave a boost to India-UAE security preparedness as well as coordination. Next, in 2018, the joint naval exercise named Gulf Star-1 took place, which laid the foundation for maritime security cooperation.
The delegation in defence was led by UAE Minister of State for Defence Affairs, Mohammed Ahmed Al Bowardi, who showed interest in buying the Akash, which is ‘Made in India’. Akash is a surface-to-air missile system. This was not the first – time the UAE had expressed this sort of interest in the BrahMos, the fastest anti-ship cruise missile. UAE has even shown interest in Astra, India’s indigenous air-to-air missile with a range of 70 km. The Annual defence Dialogue has strengthened defence cooperation. Delegations of the UAE Ministry of Defence participated in February 2019 Aero India in Bengaluru. In December 2019, India’s Vice Chief of Air staff led the delegation to the 9th Dubai International Air Chiefs’ Conference & Air Show.
PM Modi to visit UAE-
India and UAE enjoy long years of friendship based on age-old cultural, religious, and economic ties between the two nations. The relationship flourished after the accession of H. H. Sheikh Bin Sultan Al Nahyan as the Ruler of Abu Dhabi in 1966 and then the creation of the UAE Federation in 1971.
India’s PM visit to the UAE in August 2015 started a new chapter and strengthened the comprehensive and strategic partnership. In 2019, PM Narendra Modi was awarded the ZAYED Medal, the highest civilian award of UAE, for consolidating long-standing friendship and joint strategic cooperation between the two nations.
Virtual Meeting
Recently, a virtual summit was held between India and UAE. Previously, in September 2021, India and UAE formally launched negotiations on the India- UAE Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA).
KEY HIGHLIGHTS OF THE MEETING-
The CEPA includes the below-mentioned fields –
- Comprehensive Strategic Partnership
- Defence and Security
- Climate Change and Renewables
- Emerging Technologies
- Food security
- Cultural Cooperation
- Skills cooperation
- Health cooperation
- Education cooperation
- Economic Partnership
Conclusion-
We have already seen the relations India and UAE share, as discussed above. India and UAE share bilateral relations. Around 3 million Indians are living peacefully in the UAE. The UAE’s ‘Look East’ policy is to find partners for economic growth. With the security concerns emanating from turmoil in West Asia and the growing threat from terrorism, it finds a natural partner in India. The UAE has a special place due to its business-friendly atmosphere, willingness to invest in the Indian economy and its essential role in maintaining peace and stability. As India seeks to enhance engagement and deepen security cooperation with the Gulf, it finds a willing partner in the UAE.
