S Jaishankar, UAE Counterpart Hold Strategic Talks Today

India and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) are set to deepen their bilateral relations as External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar hosts UAE’s Sheikh Abdullah Bin Zayed Al Nahyan in New Delhi today. The high-level dialogue will focus on enhancing the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between the two nations and addressing pressing geopolitical and bilateral issues.

Strengthening India-UAE Ties

The two leaders will review the entire spectrum of India-UAE relations, including trade, investment, cultural, and scientific cooperation. The meeting gains significance following Syria’s regime change and ongoing instability in the Middle East, a region crucial to both nations’ strategic interests.

Middle-East Tensions on the Agenda

Discussions are expected to cover the volatile situation in Syria, heightened tensions between Israel and Iran, and Turkey’s recent strikes on Syria. With Bashar Al-Assad in exile in Moscow and Russia losing access to its Tartus naval base, the Middle East’s geopolitical landscape is rapidly changing.

Economic Collaboration and CEPA Impact

Economic collaboration will be a major highlight of the talks. India and UAE’s bilateral trade reached $85 billion in 2022-23, thanks to the 2022 Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA). The agreement eliminated tariffs, enhanced market access, and boosted foreign direct investment. Both leaders aim to expand these economic gains further.

Addressing Visa Issues

The issue of stricter UAE visa rules, which have reportedly led to a rise in rejected applications from Indian travelers, is also expected to be raised. New requirements, including QR-coded hotel bookings and additional proof for relatives’ accommodations, have complicated the visa process for Indian tourists.

Building on a Historic Partnership

This meeting reflects the growing importance of India-UAE relations, elevated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s historic visit to the UAE in 2015. The partnership has since flourished, making UAE one of India’s top trading partners and a significant investor.

Sheikh Al Nahyan, also UAE’s Deputy Prime Minister, is scheduled to meet Prime Minister Modi later today, adding further momentum to this critical partnership.