Abu Dhabi: The UAE and India have agreed on developing a strategic partnership based on common economic and political interests, said Dr Anwar Mohammad Gargash, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs and Federal National Council Affairs.
Dr Gargash said on Twitter that the leaderships of the UAE and India had identical views regarding several issues. “The leaderships of the two countries have the same political values that seek to cement stability and development,” Dr Gargash said.
Calling the Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to the UAE “historic by all standards”, Dr Gargash said the visit boosts the time-honoured ties between the two countries and ushers these bonds into a new era.
“The well-planned visit with a busy schedule and rich agenda was the first by an Indian Prime Minister since 1981. It gave rise to a strategic partnership whose political and investment scope will appear in the next months,” Dr Gargash tweeted on Monday.
Dr Gargash praised Modi as a “well-versed, inherently modest person with substantial vision and a parliamentary majority”.
Dr Gargash added that the UAE clearly seeks to boost ties with India — a pivotal country and an advancing economy and New Delhi looks at the UAE as a promising, successful model.
“Obviously, India is a country of institutions, and the credibility of New Delhi is attractive and respectable. The future challenges require deep-rooted and dependable friendships,” he said.
The UAE and India represent, in the words of Modi, “multicultural societies that respect and celebrate plurality and diversity”.
“The challenges of today’s world require an honest and sincere friend and our relations with India are on the right track. It is a common interest to elevate our ties to become strategic,” said Dr Gargash.
Dr Gargash said the need for a close strategic economic and political partnership between UAE and India has never been stronger or more urgent. “India is a constructive partner for this vision,” Dr Gargash said.
The UAE and India have the potential to build a dynamic new economic partnership which will bring prosperity not only to themselves but also to the wider region, according to a joint statement issued at the end of the Indian Prime Minister’s two-day state visit to the UAE.
The statement said that both sides have agreed to enhance cooperation in the sectors of education, health care, renewable energy, space exploration, and the peaceful uses of nuclear energy.
“Proximity, history, cultural affinity, strong links between people, natural synergies, shared aspirations and common challenges create boundless potential for a natural strategic partnership between India and UAE,” the statement said.
The statement also contains a strong condemnation of terrorism in all its forms as well as a commitment to strengthen cooperation between the two countries in areas of security and intelligence sharing.
