India-UAE ties transcend to multilateral level in 2023

Dubai - alrey strong India-UAE ties transcended to a truly multilateral level in 2023 with announcement of strategically important India-Middle East Economic Corridor and expansion of BRICS grouping to include key Gulf nation.

bilateral ties have witnessed qualitative and quantitative progress with Prime Minister Narendra Modi giving top priority to enhance India's relations with UAE and its top leership.

BRICS summit in August, during which UAE joined group, and announcement of India-Middle East Economic Corridor (IMEEC) in New Delhi during G20 summit in September were highlights of level of cooperation.

new member nations will become part of BRICS (Brazil-Russia-India-China-South Africa) with effect from January 1, 2024. inclusion represents a strategic step for UAE and consolidates its global economic and diplomatic engagements.

proposed IMEEC will comprise an eastern corridor connecting India to Gulf region and a norrn corridor connecting Gulf region to Europe. India will be linked to Europe by a railway line and existing ports through UAE, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, and Israel.

Throughout 2023, India-UAE relationship saw significant vancements, especially in tre, defence, and multilateral cooperation.

India-UAE Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), implemented on May 1, 2022, significantly impacted bilateral tre.

In fiscal year 2022-23, tre between two countries reached a historic high of around USD 84.5 billion, marking a year-on-year increase of 16 per cent.

Indian exports to UAE also recorded remarkable growth, reaching USD 31.6 billion, a 12 per cent increase from previous year.

agreement eliminated duties on many tariff lines and covered many sectors, benefiting industries like oil seeds, beverages, textiles, and pharmaceuticals.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to UAE in July 2023 marked his fifth visit to country since being elected.

visit included wide-ranging talks on bilateral relations, shared interests in promoting global growth, and furr collaboration in various fields.

leers discussed matters of mutual interest, including international issues concerning COP28 and India’s G20 presidency.

Both countries agreed to strengn bilateral maritime security and connectivity collaboration and enhance defence exchanges, sharing experiences, training, and capacity building.

India and UAE reaffirmed ir joint commitment to combat extremism and terrorism, including cross-border terrorism, at regional and international levels. y emphasised importance of promoting peace, moderation, coexistence, and tolerance.

first meeting of joint committee under CEPA set a target to more than double non-petroleum tre to USD 100 billion by 2030. meeting also involved discussions on various matters related to agreement’s implementation and dressing issues that could hinder its effectiveness.

During Prime Minister Modi’s visit, delegation-level talks focused on strengning bilateral tre, energy, defence, and food security cooperation.

Leers also discussed enhancing cooperation on delivering ambitious outcomes at COP28 for sustainable development.

se developments reflect a deepening and multifaceted India-UAE partnership, focusing on economic growth, security, and multilateral cooperation.

cooperation between India and UAE reached its pinnacle at COP28 climate summit in Dubai.

PM Modi also visited Dubai for 28th Session of United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) Conference of Parties (COP28) hosted by UAE. He met Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of UAE, on sidelines of summit and reviewed wide ranging and vibrant bilateral ties.

During year, India and UAE collaborated closely on dressing global challenge of climate change. Both countries emphasised urgent need to dress climate change through collective global action, respecting foundational principles of UNFCCC and Paris Agreement.

y committed to enhancing cooperation on climate ambition, decarbonisation, and clean energy.

leers underscored need for developed countries to fulfil ir financial commitments, notably USD 100 billion delivery plan, to support developing countries in climate action.

y urged international financial institutions and multilateral development banks to reform financial mechanisms to support climate change initiatives in developing countries.

Both countries recognised significant impact that sustainable and environment-friendly behaviours of individuals can have on a mass scale.

y emphasised importance of promoting awareness of sustainable lifestyles and nudging individuals towards environment-friendly choices.

Both countries also affirmed significance of India’s G20 presidency in fostering international cooperation in combating climate change. y stressed importance of finance and technology as critical enablers in this effort.

Overall, India and UAE showed a united front in ir determination to ensure a successful and action-oriented COP28, aiming to build new momentum for effective climate action and international cooperation.

cooperation between India and UAE on multilateral platforms such as G20 and BRICS evolved significantly during 2023, marked by mutual support and collaboration.

UAE demonstrated strong support for India’s presidency of G20 in 2023.

This support indicates UAE’s priority on its relationship with India, reflecting ir shared interests in dressing global challenges. UAE’s backing is crucial as India seeks to amplify and integrate voice of global South in G20 agenda.

This expansion of BRICS with UAE’s membership underscores growing importance of emerging economies in global order.

" UAE is committed to multilateral action, and constructive dialogue which is fostered through active platforms that represent developing and emerging economies at an international level," UAE's Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement.

"In this regard, becoming a member of an extended BRICS grouping reflects UAE’s keenness to champion value of multilateralism in supporting peace, and development for benefit and wellbeing of peoples and nations across world," it said.

On or hand, as host of G20 summit in 2023, India invited UAE to be a special guest. invitation was extended during bilateral talks between external affairs ministers of two countries.

It highlights strong bilateral relations and increasing synergy between India and UAE in international forums.

Both countries have discussed various areas of cooperation, including energy, healthcare, defence, space, and climate change.

se discussions are part of broer cooperation in UN Security Council and reflect ir commitment to dressing global issues collaboratively.

Prime Minister Modi will again be visiting UAE to inaugurate first Hindu temple in Abu Dhabi in February next year.