Sheikh Abdullah chairs UAE-India Joint Committee

Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, chaired the 14th edition of the UAE-India Joint Committee in Abu Dhabi.

Dr. Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, Minister of External Affairs of the Republic of India, led his country's delegation to the meeting.

Sheikh Abdullah added that the ongoing dialogue between the countries have yielded success in a broad range of areas, most notably the launch of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in 2017, and the signing of the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) in 2022.

He added that the UAE is the second largest destination and source for Indian exports and imports, with a strong and growing position as a foreign direct investment source for India. Additionally, air traffic between the two countries reached nearly 3.5 million passengers in 2021.

The total trade between the two countries has reached an unprecedented level, climbing to almost $70 billion in 2021.

The pair also witnessed the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for Houbara Conservation in the UAE and an MoU on the establishment of the UAE-India Cultural Council Forum.

Emirati-Indian relations, Sheikh Abdullah continued, have deep historical roots, which can be witnessed in the close social ties between the citizens of both countries. "There is no doubt that our shared values and customs, as well as our bonds of friendship have grown stronger over the last five decades.

"I look forward to the continued advancement of our cultural relations, including through the UAE’s initiatives, such as the ‘Zayed Gandhi Digital Museum’, which honours the values of the Founding Father, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, as well as celebrating the 150th anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi’s birth," he said.

Prior to the launch of the joint committee's work, Sheikh Abdullah met with his Indian counterpart to explore the avenues of further consolidating the strategic relations and comprehensive partnership ties between the two friendly countries. They also exchanged views on a number of regional and international issues of interest.

noting the leadership of President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, and India Prime Minister Narendra Modi