External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and his United Arab Emirates (UAE) counterpart Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan reviewed the multi-faceted India-UAE Comprehensive Strategic Partnership during the former’s visit to UAE on Sunday, Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said on Monday.
Giving details, it said both the leaders expressed happiness at the substantive progress in diverse areas of bilateral cooperation including commercial and economic collaboration, fintech, education, culture, and people-to-people connect.
Jaishankar’s visit follows the recent meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan on the margins of the G7 Summit in Apulia, Italy, MEA said.
The two foreign ministers also discussed new areas with untapped potential for further enhancing collaboration. They also exchanged views on regional and global issues.
During the visit, Jaishankar participated in the celebrations of the 10th International Day of Yoga in Abu Dhabi at Louvre Museum in Abu Dhabi.
The event, which was organised by the Embassy in partnership with Louvre Abu Dhabi, witnessed the presence of multiple nationalities.
Jaishankar also visited the BAPS Hindu Mandir in Abu Dhabi, which was inaugurated by Modi in February this year.
The External Affairs Minister expressed appreciation that the Mandir has become an iconic cultural destination in the UAE with a large number of daily visitors.
In less than 4 months, the Mandir has received one million visitors.
Jaishankar’s visit to the UAE, within two weeks of his re-appointment, signifies the importance India attaches to its relations with the country. The visit marks the continuation of high-level contact between the two countries.
Since July 2023, Prime Minister Modi has visited the UAE thrice and UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed has visited India twice.
Last year, important milestones were achieved in bilateral relations like the implementation of a local currency trade settlement agreement, the launch of UAE’s domestic credit/debit card based on India’s RuPay card stack, the setting up of a campus of IIT Delhi in Abu Dhabi, fintech collaboration, and commencement of work on IMEEC, among others.
