India and the United Arab Emirates in foreign minister level talks on Sunday focussed on post- Covid recovery, and discussed ways to enhance economic and health security.
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar met Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, in Abu Dhabi and held what he called a “productive interaction” on the two counties’ priority of economic recovery.
“Another productive interaction with FM @ABZayed on our bilateral cooperation. Took forward our ongoing discussions on this subject, starting in February. The strong focus on post-COVID economic recovery will remain a priority for us, ” he tweeted after the meeting.
Sheikh Abdullah said that the India-UAE-India strategic partnership would contribute to creating more opportunities for growth in commercial, economic, cultural and other fields.
The two ministers also discussed health security of their people, the efforts to mitigate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and global moves to make vaccines for all.
The Gulf country sees India a crucial partner to realise its “Economic Vision 2030,” a long-term economic diversification strategy focused on advancing knowledge industries by building a skilled workforce and world class infrastructure. It is among the to 10 foreign investor in India. Officials and business leaders on both sides see great untapped potential and a huge appetite to invest in India.
The two countries also recognise that the security of the Gulf and the Indian Ocean are indivisible. This common understanding provides a basis for dialogue and concrete forms of defense cooperation in maritime security.
Jaishankar and Sheikh Abdullah discussed ways to “develop and enhance bilateral cooperation in all domains, in a way that will fulfil the aspirations of the leadership of India and the UAE and benefit their people,” said the Emirates’ official news agency WAM.
India and UAE signed their Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in 2017.
