Country’s envoy outlines events in the pipeline aimed at strengthening ties beyond trade
Abu Dhabi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to the UAE in August has sparked a strong bilateral relationship between the UAE and India that goes beyond trade ties, the country’s envoy told Gulf News.
Several visits are scheduled to take place in the coming months to look at bolstering sectors pertaining to defence, oil and petrol, and more business investments, said T. P. Seetharam, Indian Ambassador to the UAE.
“Prime Minister Modi’s visit has given a certain profile to our relationship [with the UAE]; it has transformed the nature of our relationship at various levels and sectors,” he told Gulf News.
“In October, Anil Kumar Agarwal, Secretary, Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs, will visit certain UAE authorities and the Ministry of Labour to look at improving services of the embassy and the consulate in the UAE.
“A large delegation from India’s chamber of commerce will participate at the Abu Dhabi International Petroleum Exhibition and Conference (Adipec) in November to look at the petrol and oil opportunities in the UAE for future projects,” he added.
This is not the first time India is participating; however, the delegation coming from India this year is much bigger in comparison with previous editions, the ambassador said.
India is also looking to elevate ties with the UAE in the field of defence, Seetharam said.
“Discussions between the two countries’ leaderships are currently under way to discuss potential investments from the UAE in India’s defence production.”
“We are even exploring the possibility of exporting some manufactured goods pertaining to this field from India to the UAE; negotiations are still in progress,” he explained.
In addition, a campaign titled ‘Make In India’ was launched last year by Prime Minister Modi on September 25 to invite foreign entrepreneurs from all corners of the world to invest in manufacturing bases in India. The campaign focuses on sectors such as automobiles, auto components, renewable energy, textiles, design manufacturing, biotechnology, mining, pharmaceuticals, ports and electronics.
“While this campaign has attracted a considerable amount of investment, the Indian Embassy is making a few more steps to raise awareness in this country and drive for more investments from the UAE to the India,” he said.
A series of high-level ministerial visits will take place in collaboration with the Chambers of Commerce in Abu Dhabi and Dubai as well as the Indian Business and Professional Council (IBPC) to promote the campaign over the next few months, the ambassador told Gulf News.