His Highness Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, made his first official visit to India on September 9-10, 2024. The visit was organized to strengthen the already solid India-UAE relations, and it was invited by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Arrival and Warm Welcome
The Crown Prince arrived in New Delhi on September 9, 2024. India’s Minister of Commerce and Industry, Shri Piyush Goyal, warmly received the Crown Prince. A ceremonial Guard of Honour highlighted the significance of his visit.Accompanying him were senior officials, ministers, and a large business delegation, reflecting the importance of strengthening economic and commercial ties between the two nations.
Bilateral Discussions with Prime Minister Modi
On September 10, 2024, the Crown Prince met Prime Minister Modi to talk about how India and the UAE can work together now and in the future. Modi sent warm greetings to Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the President of the UAE, and spoke about the strong friendship between the two countries.
Both leaders were happy with the progress made in their partnership. They pointed out that the economic and investment agreements between the two countries have been big achievements. They also agreed to look into new areas like nuclear energy, important minerals, green hydrogen, artificial intelligence, and advanced technologies.
Key Agreements and MoUs Signed
The Crown Prince of UAE signed several key agreements during his visit to India. Which has further led to building cooperation between India and the UAE. These agreements spanned both traditional and new sectors of collaboration.
– Nuclear Cooperation MoU: The Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited (NPCIL) and the Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation (ENEC) signed an MoU to enhance cooperation in nuclear energy. This includes operations, maintenance of nuclear power plants, and exploring investment opportunities.
– LNG Supply Agreement: India’s energy security was bolstered by a long-term agreement. It is between the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) and Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL). The agreement is to provide 1 million metric tonnes per annum (MMTPA) of LNG to the nation.
– Crude Storage Collaboration: ADNOC also signed an MoU with India Strategic Petroleum Reserve Limited (ISPRL) to explore more opportunities in crude storage in India. ADNOC has been storing crude in India’s Mangalore Cavern since 2018.
– Oil Production Concession: A groundbreaking Production Concession Agreement for Abu Dhabi Onshore Block 1 was signed between Urja Bharat. It is a joint venture between IOCL and Bharat Petro Resources, and ADNOC. This agreement allows India to bring crude oil from the UAE, enhancing its energy security.
– Food Parks Development: The Abu Dhabi Developmental Holding Company (ADQ) has showed interest in establishing food parks in Gujarat, India. The government of Gujarat will assist ADQ in acquiring necessary permissions for the project. The project is expected to commence by Q2 2025.
Meeting with President Droupadi Murmu
The Crown Prince also met with India’s President, Smt. Droupadi Murmu, at Rashtrapati Bhavan. They highlighted India and the UAE’s long-standing relationship. The President also thanked the UAE for hosting over 3.5 million Indian nationals.This conversation further showed the deep social and cultural links between the two countries.
Honoring Mahatma Gandhi at Rajghat
A significant moment of the visit occurred when the Crown Prince paid his respects to Mahatma Gandhi at Rajghat. He became the third generation of UAE leaders to plant a tree there, following in the footsteps of his grandfather, Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, in 1992, and his father, Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, in 2016. This gesture underscored the historical ties between the two nations.
Business Forum in Mumbai
The Crown Prince will visit Mumbai on September 11, 2024, to attend the India-UAE Business Forum. The forum will bring together corporate leaders and government to discuss future collaboration in a variety of sectors. A soft launch of the India-UAE Virtual Trade Corridor (VTC) and the MAITRI interface would be done. This will facilitate the VTC as planned.
Future Prospects
The Crown Prince’s visit to India marks a significant step forward in the growing partnership between the two nations. With new agreements in nuclear energy, LNG, oil production, and food parks, both countries have reaffirmed their commitment to expanding cooperation in strategic sectors.
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