ProMASS News Bureau: Feb 10, 2016:
Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces General Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan will arrive in New Delhi today on a three-day visit to India. It is Crown Prince’s first state visit to India. He will be accompanied by a high-level delegation, including Ministers, senior officials and captains of industry.
During the visit, the Crown Prince will call on President Pranab Mukherjee and hold bilateral talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on issues of mutual interest. The visit follows the visit of Mr Modi to UAE in August last year. AIR correspondent reports that during the visit the two countries agreed to elevate the relationship to a comprehensive strategic partnership. India has vital stakes in the security and stability of the Gulf region, which hosts over seven million Indians. This region is also the source of nearly two-third of India’s crude oil requirements and is India’s largest trading partner.
India and UAE have historically enjoyed close and friendly relations anchored on mutually beneficial commercial exchanges and extensive people to people contacts. Bilateral trade amounted to 59 billion dollars in 2014-15, making UAE third largest trading partner of India. UAE is also among the largest investors in India in terms of foreign direct investments. It contributes significantly to India’s energy security and is the sixth largest supplier of crude oil to India.
