India, UAE to work on food security

Countries will also cooperate on cheaper methods for the desalinisation of water

Last updated:
4 MIN READ

Abu Dhabi: India and the UAE have agreed to work together in the fields of food security and developing cheaper methods of desalination of water, senior Indian officials told a press conference in Abu Dhabi yesterday.

This was discussed in the talks between President His Highness Shaikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan and Indian President Pratibha Patil, said Latha Reddy, Secretary (East) at the Indian Ministry of External Affairs (IMEA) in the presence of M.K.Lokesh, Indian Ambassador to the UAE.

"An important area of cooperation discussed was that of food security where our President [Patil] invited the UAE investments in projects for enhancing agricultural production in India and especially in the area of food processing. This received a positive response from His Highness [Shaikh Khalifa] who stated that this should be pursued," she explained.

Processing

Reddy told Gulf News on the sidelines of the press conference that India has sought cooperation of many other countries, especially Thailand, in food processing.

The UAE is not a food-producing country, so India was seeking investments from the UAE in food processing rather than its expertise, she said.

The UAE Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research mentioned that there was an agreement between UAE and India on the plantation of palm trees. It was agreed that this could be useful in areas such as Rajasthan.

Another important proposal discussed was related to the reduction of the high costs of setting up of desalination plants which would provide valuable water resources needed by both the UAE and by India.

Joint research

Reddy said: "Our President [Patil]'s proposal that this could be the subject of a joint research project was welcomed by His Highness [Shaikh Khalifa]."

"Our President [Patil] spoke of India's keenness to further strengthen our energy security ties with the UAE and invited their participation in upstream and downstream activities in the petroleum sector in India which would further our energy security," the official told the press conference.

Shaikh Khalifa praised the continuing role played by the Indian community in the UAE's development projects, WAM reported.

Shaikh Khalifa affirmed the important role India plays in accomplishing security and stability in the Indian Ocean and Eastern Asia region.

Patil's fascination with Abu Dhabi greenery leads to discussion on desalination

Abu Dhabi

Indian President was impressed with the greenery in Abu Dhabi, despite the UAE' s desert climate, a senior Indian official told Gulf News.

"She mentioned it to His Highness Shaikh Khalifa and he said all the greenery was watered by desalinated water," Latha Reddy, Secretary at IMEA, said.

President Patil said same methodology could be used in India, but the high cost of desalination was a hindrance, she said. "Then both the leaders decided to conduct joint research to cut the cost of desalination," Reddy explained.

Former Indian President APJ Abdul Kalam had told Gulf News in an exclusive interview during his UAE visit in 2009 that both the countries could use solar power for desalination. "India and the UAE can jointly develop such a technology which would not harm the environment," Abdul Kalam had said.

Non-oil trade contributes to major chunk of bilateral trade

Abu Dhabi

Contrary to popular belief, oil trade contributes a small portion to the bilateral trade between the UAE and India, an India official said.

The two leaders [Patil and Shaikh Khalifa] expressed satisfaction that the trade relationship had grown substantially resulting in both countries becoming the largest trading partners for each other in 2009-2010 with bilateral trade crossing the $43 billion mark, said Latha Reddy, Secretary (East) at Indian MEA, said.

But the oil trade contributes to just $5 billion only out of the $43 billion, she said.

President Impressed: The Green capital

Indian President Pratibha Patel was impressed with the greenery in Abu Dhabi, despite the UAE' s desert climate, a senior Indian official told Gulf News.

"She mentioned it to His Highness Shaikh Khalifa [Bin Zayed Al Nahyan] and he said all the greenery was watered by desalinated water," Latha Reddy, Secretary at IMEA, said.

President Patil said same methodology could be used in India, but the high cost of desalination was a hindrance, she said. "Then both the leaders decided to conduct joint research to cut the cost of desalination," Reddy explained.

Former Indian President APJ Abdul Kalam had told Gulf News in an exclusive interview during his UAE visit in 2009 that both the countries could use solar power for desalination. "India and the UAE can jointly develop such a technology which would not harm the environment," Abdul Kalam had said.

Non-oil trade contribution to bilateral trade

Contrary to popular belief, oil trade contributes a small portion to the bilateral trade between the UAE and India, an India official said.

The two leaders [Patil and Shaikh Khalifa] expressed satisfaction that the trade relationship had grown substantially resulting in both countries becoming the largest trading partners for each other in 2009-2010 with bilateral trade crossing the $43 billion (Dh157.9 billion) mark, said Latha Reddy, Secretary (East) at Indian MEA, said.

But the oil trade contributes to just $5 billion only out of the $43 billion, she said.

Sign up for the Daily Briefing

Get the latest news and updates straight to your inbox

Up Next