Modi visit to ‘chart a new course’ for India and UAE

India and the UAE on Monday hailed a new course for their partnership, particularly economically and in counter-terrorism.

Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, met the Indian prime minister Narendra Modi in Abu Dhabi on Monday. Ryan Carter / Crown Prince Court - Abu Dhabi

ABU DHABI // India and the UAE yesterday hailed a new course for their partnership, particularly economically and in counter-terrorism.

Prime minister Narendra Modi’s visit heralds an advance in regional progress with the goal of realising “the vision of an Asian century”, the two countries said.

Relations in the past “have not kept pace with the exponential growth in relations between their people or the promise of this partnership”, the statement said.

“However, the need for a close strategic partnership between the UAE and India has never been stronger or more urgent, and its prospects more rewarding, than in these uncertain times.”

The two countries also rejected “any link between religion and terrorism”, and condemned efforts “to use religion to justify, support and sponsor terrorism against other countries” and efforts by countries to “give religious and sectarian colour to political issues and disputes, including in West and South Asia”.

Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, met Mr Modi in Abu Dhabi yesterday to coordinate anti-terrorism efforts and intelligence sharing, strengthen cooperation in law enforcement, promote cooperation in cyber security and establish a national security dialogue, which will include a meeting of high-level security representatives every six months.

The leaders also agreed to cooperate to strengthen maritime security in the Gulf and Indian Ocean region, promote collaboration on humanitarian aid, strengthen defence relations and encourage investment.

Mr Modi later met Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, who presented him with a Hindi version of his book Flashes of Thought.

India and the UAE have “deep historical links and shared vision and aspirations for our nations”, Sheikh Mohammed said on Twitter, and they had started “a new milestone in their relationship”.

* Reporting by Wam