India and UAE Strengthen Historic Ties with New Agreements and Leadership Discussions

President Droupadi Murmu welcomed Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, to Rashtrapati Bhavan on Monday, emphasizing the “historic yet forward-looking” nature of the bilateral relationship between India and the United Arab Emirates (UAE). She highlighted that the relationship has been significantly transformed under the “visionary leadership” of both nations over the past decade.

In her meeting with the Crown Prince, President Murmu underscored the long-standing tradition of high-level engagement between the two countries. She pointed out that this visit continues the spirit of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership that India and the UAE have cultivated over the years. Reflecting on the significance of the visit, she stated that both nations had successfully expanded their strategic partnership into new areas of cooperation through several key agreements signed that day.

One key factor in the enduring strength of the relationship, according to President Murmu, is the strong people-to-people ties between the two countries, with more than 3.5 million Indian citizens residing in the UAE. She commended the UAE leadership for their efforts to ensure the welfare of Indian expatriates, particularly during the challenging times of the Covid-19 pandemic. The Rashtrapati Bhavan released a statement affirming that both leaders agreed India and the UAE share “societies with a syncretic and multicultural heritage.” They noted that the legacies of Mahatma Gandhi and Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan continue to inspire both nations, rooted in the ideals of peace, tolerance, and harmony.

President Murmu also expressed satisfaction with the significant participation of women in Emirati society, adding that both countries had proven that “women-led development” can yield positive socio-economic outcomes. This reflects the shared values of both nations in promoting gender equality and empowering women in various sectors.

The day also marked the signing of five Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) between India and the UAE, following the Crown Prince’s meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. These agreements aimed to further cement bilateral ties across various sectors, including energy, nuclear cooperation, and food security.

One major MoU was between the Emirates Nuclear Energy Company (ENEC) and the Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited (NPCIL), focusing on Barakah Nuclear Power Plant Operations and Maintenance. According to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), this agreement is expected to enhance cooperation in the areas of plant operation and maintenance, nuclear goods and services procurement, mutual investment opportunities, and capacity building.

Another significant agreement involved the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) and Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL) for the long-term supply of Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG). This new agreement will ensure a steady supply of 1 million metric tonnes per annum (MMTPA) of LNG, further bolstering India’s energy security. It is the third such contract in a little over a year, following similar agreements with IOCL and GAIL, which have previously secured long-term contracts with ADNOC for 1.2 MMTPA and 0.5 MMTPA of LNG, respectively.

In addition to these agreements, ADNOC and India Strategic Petroleum Reserve Limited (ISPRL) signed a MoU aimed at exploring ADNOC’s participation in further crude oil storage opportunities in India. ADNOC has been involved in crude storage in India since 2018, specifically at the Mangalore Cavern of ISPRL. This MoU builds on their previous collaboration and aims to expand it further by renewing the storage and management agreement on mutually agreeable terms.

The first-ever Production Concession Agreement between an Indian company and the UAE was also signed. Urja Bharat, a joint venture of Indian Oil Corporation (IOCL) and Bharat Petro Resources Ltd, secured the rights to operate Abu Dhabi’s Onshore Block 1. This agreement is expected to boost India’s energy security by allowing Urja Bharat to bring crude oil from the UAE to India.

A significant development in food security cooperation was highlighted with the signing of an MoU between the Government of Gujarat and Abu Dhabi Developmental Holding Company PJSC (ADQ). This agreement focuses on developing food parks in India, with the Gujarat government identifying Gundanpara, Bavla in Ahmedabad as a prime location for the project. ADQ’s interest in food security aligns with India’s long-term goals of boosting food processing and agricultural development. The Food Park project is expected to begin in 2025, and both sides will work closely to obtain the necessary permissions and approvals.

During their meeting, President Murmu and the Crown Prince expressed satisfaction with the progress made in their Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in recent years. They discussed the need to further deepen cooperation in untapped sectors, particularly nuclear energy, critical minerals, green hydrogen, artificial intelligence, and advanced technologies. They acknowledged that the success of the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) and the implementation of the Bilateral Investment Treaty (BIT) will provide additional momentum to the growing economic and commercial ties between the two countries.

Following his meeting with Prime Minister Modi, the Crown Prince paid homage to Mahatma Gandhi by visiting Rajghat, continuing a family tradition. His visit marked the third generation of UAE leaders to pay respects at Rajghat. In 1992, Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, former UAE President, planted a sapling at Rajghat, followed by Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the current UAE President, in 2016. Continuing this legacy, the Crown Prince planted a sapling during his visit, symbolizing the deep-rooted relationship between the two nations.

The Crown Prince’s itinerary also includes a visit to Mumbai, where he will participate in the India-UAE business forum on Tuesday. This forum will bring together business leaders and officials from both countries to explore future avenues for cooperation, fostering discussions on various aspects of the bilateral relationship.

A key highlight of the Mumbai leg of his visit is the soft launch of the India-UAE Virtual Trade Corridor (VTC) and the MAITRI interface, which will facilitate trade between the two countries. The VTC will be an important mechanism to streamline and enhance economic cooperation, further deepening the trade relationship between India and the UAE.

The visit of the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi marked a significant step forward in the India-UAE relationship. The signing of key agreements across sectors such as energy, nuclear cooperation, and food security, coupled with the ongoing commitment to deepening strategic ties, highlights the strength of this historic relationship. As President Murmu pointed out, the visionary leadership of both nations has been instrumental in transforming and propelling this relationship forward into new and promising areas of collaboration.