PM Modi says India, UAE will keep working closely for Global Good

NEW DELHI: After PM's official visit to the Gulf nation, a joint statement was issued by the countries. TheleadersexpressedsatisfactionthatUAE-Indiarelations havewitnessedtremendousprogressonallfronts.

India-UAEtraderosetoUSD85billionin2022,making theUAEIndia’sthird-largesttradingpartnerfortheyear 2022-23andIndia'ssecond-largestexportdestination.

Furthermore, India is the UAE’s second largest trading partner. In February 2022, India became the first country with which the UAE signed a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA). Bilateral trade has increased by approximately 15 per cent since the entry into force of the CEPA.

The Foreign Secretary Vinay Mohan Kwatra said the trip was "short but very significant, a landmark in the partnershipbetweenIndiaandtheUAE."

Briefing about PM Modi's UAE visit, Kwatra said PM Modi held "extensive discussions with the President oftheUAE,SheikhMohamedbinZayedAlNahyan."

Healsotermedthevisittobeof"tremendousstrategic significance"asitshowcasedthe"deepbondoffriendship and trust" between the Prime Minister Modi and the UAEPresident.

India and the UAE signed the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) last year and since the signing of that important strategic landmark agreement between the two countries, the trade and economic partnership and engagement has grown significantlybetweenthetwocountries,Kwatrasaid.

He noted that "visit this time puts together another pillarofthatstrategiceconomicpartnershipinacoupleof importantways."

Theleadersofboththecountriesnotedthesignificant global roles played by both countries in 2023, with India’s presidency of the G20 and the UAE’s presidency of COP28. The UAE side appreciated the hosting of the Voice of Global South Summit by India in January 2023. The Indian side also commended the UAE for its instrumental role in promoting the Global South's interestsatCOP28andmakingCOP28a"COPofaction.”