India and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) have agreed to expedite the conclusion of their proposed agreements on security cooperation, transfer of sentenced persons and mutual assistance on customs matters.
This was decided at the India-UAE political consultations held on September 19 in Abu Dhabi, a press release from the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said here today.
The Indian delegation to the talks was led by Ms Vijayalatha Reddy, Secretary (East) in the MEA while the UAE side was led by Dr Anwar Mohammed Gargash, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs.
The release said the high-level consultations reviewed the current state of bilateral relations between the two countries. Both sides expressed satisfaction at the friendly relations based on historic links and agreed to intensify high-level bilateral exchanges to consolidate the ties.
In this context, the need for early convening of the Ministerial-level India-UAE Joint Commission meeting was underscored.
The two sides also expressed satisfaction at the growth of trade and economic links, particularly that they had become the largest trading partners for each other. The discussions focused on UAE investments in the aviation, ports, telecommunications and oil and gas sectors.
The Indian delegation proposed that the India-UAE Trade Policy Forum set up by the two countries to facilitate bilateral trade should be more active. It called for more investment from the UAE in India, especially in the infrastructure sector.
According to the release, the two sides also exchanged views on major regional and global issues, including the Middle East peace process, reform of the United Nations and reconstruction efforts in Afghanistan. They noted that they had similarlity of perceptions and agreed to have regular consultations.
The two sides acknowledged the positive role of the Indian community in the development of India-UAE relations. The Indian side thanked the UAE for looking after the welfare of the Indian community, the release added.
