“UAE Crown Prince Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan’s Historic Visit to India Strengthens Bilateral Ties and Spurs Key Agreements”
The Voice of Chandigarh :
His Highness Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, has commenced his first official visit to India, marking a significant milestone in the India-UAE relationship. The visit, running from September 9 to 10, 2024, was hosted at the invitation of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Upon arrival in New Delhi, Sheikh Khaled was warmly received by Shri Piyush Goyal, Minister of Commerce and Industry, and was honored with a ceremonial Guard of Honour. He is accompanied by a distinguished delegation, including ministers, senior officials, and a large contingent of business leaders.
During his visit, Sheikh Khaled engaged in high-level discussions with Prime Minister Modi. The leaders expressed satisfaction with the substantial progress achieved in their Comprehensive Strategic Partnership and explored avenues to further enhance bilateral cooperation. Key areas of focus included nuclear energy, critical minerals, green hydrogen, artificial intelligence, and advanced technologies.
Several significant agreements and Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) were signed:
- Nuclear Cooperation MoU: Between Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited (NPCIL) and Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation (ENEC), aiming to boost cooperation in nuclear power operations and maintenance.
- Long-Term LNG Supply Agreement: Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) and Indian Oil Corporation Limited agreed on a contract for 1 million metric tonnes per annum (MMTPA) of LNG, enhancing energy security for India.
- Crude Storage MoU: ADNOC and India Strategic Petroleum Reserve Limited (ISPRL) will explore further crude storage opportunities in India and renew existing agreements.
- Production Concession Agreement: For Abu Dhabi Onshore Block 1, marking the first such agreement involving an Indian company in the UAE. This will contribute to India’s energy security.
- Food Parks MoU: Between the Government of Gujarat and Abu Dhabi Developmental Holding Company (ADQ) to develop food parks in Gujarat, with plans to begin in Q2 2025.
In addition to his official engagements, Sheikh Khaled paid a visit to Rajghat to honor Mahatma Gandhi, continuing a unique generational tradition of planting saplings at this historic site. He is the third-generation leader from the UAE to do so, following Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan in 1992 and Sheikh Mohamed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan in 2016.
On September 10, Sheikh Khaled will travel to Mumbai to participate in the India-UAE Business Forum, which aims to foster deeper business collaborations between the two countries. The forum will also witness the soft launch of the India-UAE virtual trade corridor (VTC) and the MAITRI interface, designed to facilitate trade and economic exchanges.
This visit marks a new chapter in the enduring relationship between India and the UAE, setting the stage for enhanced cooperation and mutual growth in various strategic sectors.
