Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, is on a two-day official visit to India from September 9-10, 2024, at the invitation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. This is the Crown Prince’s first visit to India in his new capacity. Upon his arrival in New Delhi, he was received with a ceremonial Guard of Honour by Commerce Minister Shri Piyush Goyal.
Bilateral Discussions and Strengthened Strategic Partnership
During his meeting with Prime Minister Modi, both leaders reviewed the progress of the India-UAE Comprehensive Strategic Partnership and explored new areas of cooperation, especially in nuclear energy, critical minerals, green hydrogen, and emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence.
They also emphasized the significance of the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) and the Bilateral Investment Treaty (BIT), both of which have bolstered the economic ties between the two nations.
Signed Agreements and MoUs
Several significant agreements and Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) were signed during this visit:
- MoU on Nuclear Cooperation between Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited (NPCIL) and Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation (ENEC).
- Long-term LNG Supply Agreement between Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) and Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL).
- MoU between ADNOC and India Strategic Petroleum Reserve Limited (ISPRL) to explore further opportunities for crude storage in India.
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- Production Concession Agreement for Abu Dhabi Onshore Block 1 between Urja Bharat (a joint venture of IOCL and Bharat PetroResources Ltd) and ADNOC.
- MoU between Government of Gujarat and Abu Dhabi Developmental Holding Company (ADQ) for the development of food parks in India.
Key Areas of Cooperation
Nuclear Energy: The MoU on nuclear cooperation focuses on operational support for nuclear power plants, mutual investment, and capacity building.
Energy Security: The long-term LNG supply agreement with ADNOC is part of India’s effort to diversify its energy sources.
Crude Storage: The MoU between ADNOC and ISPRL includes plans for additional crude storage in India, enhancing the country’s strategic energy reserves.
Food Security: The MoU between Gujarat and ADQ aims to develop food parks, with a project commencement date in 2025.
Tribute to Mahatma Gandhi and Historic Continuity
Sheikh Khaled visited Rajghat to pay his respects to Mahatma Gandhi, becoming the third-generation leader from the UAE to plant a sapling at Rajghat, following the legacy of Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan in 1992 and Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan in 2016. This unique gesture highlights the generational continuity of the UAE-India relationship.
On September 10, Sheikh Khaled is scheduled to visit Mumbai, where he will participate in the India-UAE Business Forum. The forum will foster discussions on enhancing bilateral trade and business collaboration. Additionally, the visit will feature a soft launch of the India-UAE Virtual Trade Corridor (VTC) and the MAITRI interface, which will facilitate seamless trade between the two nations.
This visit underscores the deepening ties between India and the UAE and sets the stage for further strengthening their strategic partnership across key sectors.
