Abu Dhabi Crown Prince to visit India on Wednesday

KV Prasad

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, February 7

Deepening engagement between India and United Arab Emirates will be reinforced during the three-day visit of General Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi to India this week.

On his first state visit starting February 10, the Crown Prince who is also the Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces will hold bilateral talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He will be accompanied by a high-level delegation, including ministers, senior officials and captains of industry.

Converting the bilateral relations to a comprehensive strategic partnership during the visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to the UAE last August is now witnessing growing cooperation with the Gulf country taking the lead especially in the fight against terrorism and spread of Islamic State (IS).

Recently, the UAE deported three Indian youths who were radicalised, symbolising the engagement expanding to counter-terrorism that is being spearheaded by the country under the Crown Prince.

Among the 31-points envision in the comprehensive strategic partnership was to coordinate efforts to counter radicalization and misuse of religion by groups and countries for inciting hatred, perpetrating and justifying terrorism or pursuing political aims. 

The joint statement issued last August also reflects the commitment noting that both countries reject extremism and terrorism. "They condemn efforts, including by states, to use religion to justify, support and sponsor terrorism against other countries. They also deplore efforts by countries to give religious and sectarian colour to political issues and disputes, including in West and South Asia, and use terrorism to pursue their aims.

The formulation led to interpretation that it took care of Indian sensitivities on Pakistan support to terror activities and in the post-Pathankot attack, the UAE was among the first countries to support the idea that the incident be investigated.

India and the UAE have close and friendly relations including healthy bilateral trade that stood at $59 billion in 2014-15 making the UAE, India's third largest trading partner. The UAE is among the largest investors in India in terms of foreign direct investments. It contributes significantly to India's energy security and is the sixth largest supplier of crude oil to India in 2014-15.