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Geopolitical relations means the international political affairs between two nations with respect to geographic terms. India’s Prime minister Mr Narendra Modi has visited UAE a couple of times. Due to the Covid 19 situation, The Prime Minister of India could not meet the UAE’s Prime minister in 2022. India and UAE have good bilateral relationships, which have strengthened throughout the years. Recently, both governments signed a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement in order to develop the economic conditions of both nations.
Relationship between India and UAE
UAE and India have been diplomatic partners since the accession of H.H. Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan. H.H. Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan became the ruler of Abu Dhabi in 1966. PM Modi visited UAE twice, first in the year 2015 and second in the year 2018. During the first visit of PM Modi in 2015, topics such as terrorism, the construction of the first-ever Hindu temple in Abu Dhabi, and labour issues about the Indian diaspora were discussed by the president of UAE and India’s PM. On visiting the UAE for the second time, PM Modi discussed issues relating to defence and space initiatives, trade and investment, climate change etc.
The Geopolitical Strategy between India and UAE
In both the meetings attended by the Indian Prime minister, the discussion was part of a large geopolitical strategy that was aimed at improving bilateral ties and diplomatic relations between both nations. Common yet major issues, such as terrorism, were discussed at length. Both nations have taken a strong stance toward eliminating this global threat. They stressed the importance of sharing intelligence with each other and collaborating in anti-terrorism operations.
2022 UAE- INDIA summit
In February 2022, PM Modi attended a virtual Summit with the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the United Arab Emirates. This meeting has developed a sense of strengthening the bilateral agreements. Both the nations seem to have a strategic partnership in terms of development.
The major discussions this year revolved around the partnership of both countries with regard to health care and food security. These issues were given topmost priority because of the Covid 19 Crisis that affected millions of people in both nations.
They also discussed renewable energy, start-ups, fintech, etc. India is participating with one of the largest pavilions in the Dubai Expo 2020.
India and UAE signed a trade accord called the CEPA, which is one of the biggest trade exchange policies India has gotten into. It is India’s first bilateral agreement in the MNEA region.
India is the number one non-oil trade partner UAE has signed with amongst the 14 other countries. The CEPA aims to increase merchandise trade between the two countries to $100 billion over the next five years, ushering in a new era of economic cooperation between the two countries, which already have a $60 billion trade relationship and will open up new and uncharted trade and investment avenues.
UAE is India’s third-largest trade partner. The leaders of both nations have huge hopes of developing trade policies and showing significant growth in the upcoming years.
India also addressed the issue of terrorism happening around the globe, which involves UAE and has promised to support UAE and maintain the friendship through these times. Both the provinces have established goals for beating terrorism. They have collaborated to enhance maritime cooperation, which contributes to maintaining peace and security and also promotes sharing of experiences, training and building capacity.
India and UAE signed various Memorandum of Understanding. They are:
- MOU between Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) and DP world and Al Dahra on food security.
- MOU between India’s gift city and Abu Dhabi’s global marker on cooperation in financial projects.
- MOU on cooperation in climate change actions was agreed upon between both sides.
- MOU on education was also agreed upon by both sides.
India has promised to work closely with UAE with regard to the Conference of Parties (COP), the International Renewable Energy Agency and the International Solar Alliance. India also wishes to establish the Indian Institute of Technology in the United Arab Emirates. The importance of technology collaboration was also recognised by India and the UAE, who decided to work together to encourage start-ups from both countries to expand into the two areas and use such platforms as a foundation for growth. Fintech, Edu-tech, healthcare, logistics and supply chain, agri-tech, chip design, and green energy are some of the areas where start-ups should specialise. The leaders gave their officials orders to look at procedures and sectors that would encourage collaboration.
UAE plans to develop diversified 21st-century economic conditions to develop India’s economic potential and unleash India’s capabilities. It is of vital importance to promote economic engagement as a measure of foreign policy for India.
UAE is not only one of the largest trading partners but also one of the valuable sources of foreign investments or FDI. The Emirates has invested up to 9 billion dollars in the Indian market. The main reason for this is the UAE is looking for destinations for foreign investments, and India is one of the targets. It has invested in digital platforms like Jio services etc.
Through the activities of the UAE Space Agency (UAESA) and the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO), India and the UAE have worked in space, the next frontier for attaining power and riches. During Prime Minister Modi’s visit to the UAE in 2015, space cooperation between India and the UAE gained traction quickly.
The defence system between the two nations has grown so much since 2003. In 2003, the chief staff of the UAE joined forces with India after its visit. The visit led to a bilateral agreement between the Indian Air force and the UAE Air force. Both the nations have an annual dialogue to discuss defence administrations and boost defence cooperation.
Conclusion:
India has a pivotal role in maintaining foreign affairs with the UAE and vice versa. Both the nations have shared economic goals and geopolitical cooperation. The bilateral agreements are focused on multiple domains like investments, technology, climate requirements, defence and security. Both the signatories have shown tremendous growth in their economic conditions. Trade partnerships have increased, and development is shown. India aims to have friendly ties with the UAE and be a hub for Asian Economies.
