By Abraham Jonah, Editorial Contributor, Middle East
THUR, JANUARY 26 2017-The long term affinity and plan between the Middle East and core Asian countries is growing by stronger ties for posterity and more businesses.
Pursuant to the decision to elevate their relations to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership during the exchange of the visits at the highest level between India and United Arab Emirates in August 2015 and February 2016, the two sides recently held the first meeting of Strategic Dialogue between the two Foreign Offices in New Delhi. The meeting was co-chaired by Shri M.J. Akbar, MOS for External Affairs and Dr. Anwar Gargash, MOS in Ministry of Foreign Affairs of UAE. The two sides were represented by strong delegations drawn from a number of relevant Ministries and Departments.
During the meeting, the two sides discussed a number of issues ranging from cooperation in the areas of trade & investments to expanding the bilateral cooperation to new areas under the strategic partnership, inter alia in the areas of energy security & renewable energy, defence and security, electronics and information technology and space.
The meeting provided a timely opportunity to prepare for the forthcoming State visit of the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi as the Chief Guest at the Republic Day celebrations, 2017. The two sides agreed on a number of new initiatives to further strengthen the bilateral cooperation and on signing of fresh instruments of cooperation.
