Prime Minister Narendra Modi landed in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) on Friday as part of his five-nation visit that will also cover the Netherlands, Sweden, Norway and Italy. The Prime Minister was accorded a warm welcome by the UAE President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed on his arrival, taking place against the backdrop of the Iran war.
Earlier, Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s aircraft was escorted by the UAE’s F-16 jets as it entered the country’s airspace. The squadron leader had asked permission to accompany him to the airport as a greeting and welcome to his visit to the country.
Modi also received a guard of honour after his arrival. The visit has assumed significance as it comes amid the tensions in the Middle East and its aftermath on global oil prices, which also saw a fuel cost hike in India.
Pacts signed
India and the United Arab Emirates signed pacts on strategic defence cooperation,
Petroleum reserves and supply of liquefied petroleum gas, reports quoting government officials said on Friday.
While a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed on strategic petroleum reserves and supplies of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG), both countries also signed an agreement on a framework for defence partnership and a pact to set up a ship repair cluster in Gujarat's Vadinar. Investment worth 5 billion US dollars was also announced in Indian Infrastructure, and RBL Bank and Samman Capital.
It was expected that energy security would be a central theme of the discussions with New Delhi seeking Abu Dhabi’s help with long-term supplies of cooking gas and crude oil, in addition to expanding India's strategic reserves.
‘Strait of Hormuz a concern’
Modi also raised concerns about the war in the Middle East and called for dialogue and diplomacy. In talks with UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Modi said, "The impact of war in the West Asia region is seen across the world today. India has always given importance to dialogue and diplomacy for resolving issues. It is our biggest concern that Hormuz remains free and open. In this regard, it is essential to abide by international laws. India stands shoulder-to-shoulder with the UAE in every situation, and it will continue to do so. For the restoration of peace and stability, India will extend all possible cooperation."