A momentous occasion in UAE-India relations

The UAE and India have set a shining example on how true friendship between two strong nations should be, based on mutual respect and co-operation.

The State visit of His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, to India from Jan.24 to 26 as the Chief Guest of India’s 68th Republic Day celebrations has certainly marked a momentous occasion in relations between the two nations.

"Yes, the strong bonds of friendship have found clear expression in the series of high-level bilateral visits between the two countries in the past two years," said English language local daily, The Gulf Today, in its editorial on Friday.

The fact that this is the second successive state visit by Sheikh Mohamed to India since February 2016 "is an unambiguous reflection of goodwill on both sides."

It added that the signing of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership Agreement and a number of memorandums of understanding have pushed the relationship to levels not seen before.

"A broad spectrum of political, economic, trade and investment, energy, education, culture, defence and security spheres has been covered in the agreements," the paper said.

Sheikh Mohamed and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi have mentioned in their joint op-ed article that a relatively more recent phenomenon is the growing investments from the UAE in the Indian economy in key areas like infrastructure, energy, healthcare, retail, hospitality and real estate.

"These mutual flows are anticipated to increase and will constitute a dynamic pillar of the already-strong partnership," it added.

The signing of agreements highlights the benefits of co-operation. There is a good lesson in this for the rest of the countries on how sincere and meaningful friendship could work wonders, making the world a better place to live in.

The paper underlined the MoU on the Indian Rupee and UAE Dirham Bilateral Currency Swap Arrangement between the Reserve Bank of India and the Central Bank of the UAE "is sure to be a useful mechanism for trade promotion."

"At a time when divisive voices are raised in different parts of the world, the UAE and Indian experiences in building inclusive societies have proved to be successful models in countering extremism," the paper commented.

The two sides have strengthened the meaning of constructive co-operation.

"Sheikh Mohamed’s visit to India and the warm welcome he received from the billion-strong country underscores the value of sincerity and trust in friendship and the benefits that ensue for the society," it concluded.