Category: Politics

Indonesia and the UAE have inked eight major agreements to strengthen cooperation in a variety of sectors. On Wednesday, Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto and UAE President Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan met in Abu Dhabi and announced the agreements.

The recently signed agreements encompass government-to-government, business-to-business, and government-to-business collaborations. They will serve as the framework for partnership in vital sectors such as energy transition, food security, trade, economics, security, counterterrorism, and religious affairs.

The agreements include a MoU on security and counterterrorism between the UAE Interior Ministry and the Indonesian Police, as well as an MOU on marine and fisheries cooperation. Another agreement centres on Islamic affairs and endowments. In addition, the UAE’s Al-Ain Farms has signed a deal with Indonesia’s Agriculture Ministry to engage in milk production.

Energy cooperation was also highlighted, with agreements to expand Indonesia’s Cirata Floating Solar Power Plant and build the Jatigede Floating Solar Power Plant.

The two leaders also discussed international concerns, such as the US trade policy and Israel’s operations in Gaza. President Prabowo’s Middle East journey is intended to garner regional support for his plan to transfer 1,000 Palestinians to Indonesia.

India and the UAE are making steady progress towards their objective of $100 billion in non-oil trade, according to Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal, speaking at the Dubai-India Business Forum in Mumbai. He emphasised the two countries’ growing strategic engagement and called the Comprehensive Economic Engagement Agreement a landmark event in their economic cooperation.

Goyal stated that the speed and scale of bilateral commerce growth had been outstanding, emphasising the UAE’s critical role in India’s push to Africa. Dubai Chambers organised the event, which was attended by Dubai Crown Prince Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed Al Maktoum, who is visiting India for two days.

He lauded the UAE’s investments in India’s logistics and digital infrastructure, notably DP World’s efforts to change the logistics ecosystem. On the education front, he announced plans to open new campuses for the Indian Institute of Management and the Indian Institute of Foreign Trade in Dubai, following the successful inauguration of an IIT campus.

Goyal also commended the UAE for helping the Indian diaspora, notably during the COVID-19 pandemic. Highlighting India’s economic ambitions, he urged for increased investment in crucial industries such as green hydrogen, fintech, and nuclear energy, pushing firms in both countries to seize growing opportunities.

India has offered the UAE its indigenously produced Akash air defence missile system, bolstering bilateral defence ties. The decision is consistent with India’s objective to export modern military technology to friendly countries, notably those in the Gulf and ASEAN areas.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh made the offer during a high-level meeting with Dubai Crown Prince and UAE Deputy Prime Minister Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum. The Akash system, which can intercept hostile aircraft, helicopters, drones, and cruise missiles within a 25-kilometer range, is part of India’s larger effort to promote homegrown military technology.

India has already delivered BrahMos coastal batteries to the Philippines, while Armenia has purchased the Akash system, Pinaka multi-launch rocket systems, and 155mm artillery weapons. At the discussion, all parties emphasised the importance of strengthening defence cooperation in light of the two countries’ developing trade and business links. Singh called the conversations “productive,” emphasising India’s commitment to strengthening defence cooperation through joint projects, training exchanges, and industrial collaborations.

India and the UAE are also stepping up trilateral defence cooperation with France, undertaking joint military exercises like “Desert Knight” and marine drills to improve interoperability.

The United Arab Emirates actively participated in the second G20 Sherpa Meeting, which was held virtually from April 3-4. His Excellency Ahmed Al Sayegh, Minister of State and UAE G20 Sherpa, and His Excellency Mahash Al Hameli, UAE Ambassador to South Africa and UAE Sous Sherpa, represented the country during the meetings. The summit brought together officials from invited countries and worldwide organisations to assess progress in the various G20 Sherpa Working Groups. It also aimed to define the way forward for South Africa’s G20 presidency.

The UAE delegation emphasised their contributions to several critical sectors, including anti-corruption, education, women’s empowerment, the digital economy, artificial intelligence, disaster risk reduction, climate change, and sustainability. The country reaffirmed its commitment to international cooperation while praising South Africa’s leadership.

Under the theme of ‘Solidarity, Equality, and Sustainability,’ South Africa invited the UAE to participate in the G20 process and summit in 2025. This is the UAE’s fourth consecutive invitation and sixth overall participation. Previously, the UAE participated in G20 forums organised by Brazil, India, Indonesia, Saudi Arabia, and France.

The G20, founded in 1999, remains the largest global venue for economic collaboration, bringing together major economies to address critical global concerns and promote inclusive growth.

India and the UAE have agreed to strengthen cooperation in defence and coast guard activities. The discussions took place during Dubai Crown Prince Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed Al Maktoum’s visit to India. His visit is a crucial step towards improving bilateral cooperation in key sectors such as trade, technology, and security.

Sheikh Hamdan, the UAE’s Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister, is leading a high-level group of politicians and business leaders. Following his discussion with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the two leaders emphasised Dubai’s role in promoting the India-UAE Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. PM Modi termed the visit as a reaffirmation of the two countries’ longstanding friendship.

During negotiations with Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, all parties agreed to further defence cooperation, including the signing of a MoU between their Coast Guard troops. The leaders emphasised defence industry cooperation, training exchanges, and co-production projects as part of the ‘Make-in-India’ and ‘Make-in-Emirates’ agendas.

Sheikh Hamdan attended the Dubai-India Business Forum in Mumbai, where he met with 200 business leaders. Trade between India and Dubai has increased dramatically, with non-oil trade valued at $54.2 billion in 2023. India remains an important economic partner, with over 70,000 Indian businesses registered with the Dubai Chamber of Commerce.

Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mohammed Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, UAE Deputy Prime Minister, and Minister of Defence, will arrive in India for a two-day visit beginning Tuesday. This is his first official visit as Crown Prince, at the invitation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The visit, which is accompanied by a high-level UAE team, aims to strengthen commercial and strategic ties between India and the UAE.

Sheikh Hamdan will meet with PM Modi, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh in New Delhi to discuss trade, defence, and regional security issues. He will then go to Mumbai for a roundtable discussion with senior Indian and Emirati business leaders about infrastructure, fintech, and renewable energy growth. The visit coincides with attempts to strengthen the CEPA and increase bilateral commerce to $100 billion by 2030.

Key discussions will center on energy security, long-term crude oil supply arrangements, and the UAE’s $500 million investment in India’s Semiconductor Mission. Plans to integrate India’s UPI with the UAE’s Arab Pay to enable smooth remittances will also be evaluated. The visit will likely result in MoUs on agritech, skill certifications, and the India-UAE Green Hydrogen Alliance, strengthening the two countries’ economic and cultural connections.

India, the UAE, and Sri Lanka have signed a trilateral agreement to develop Trincomalee as a vital energy hub. Representatives from all three states signed the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), which is an important step towards boosting regional energy security. The UAE Ministry of Investment, the Indian Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, and the Sri Lankan Ministry of Energy will work together to improve Trincomalee’s energy infrastructure.

The signing event was attended by H.E. Khaled Nasser AlAmeri, UAE Ambassador to Sri Lanka, Santosh Jha, India’s High Commissioner to Sri Lanka, and Prof. K.T.M. Udayanga Hemapala, Secretary of Sri Lanka’s Ministry of Energy. The agreement covers several significant projects, including the rehabilitation of the Trincomalee Tank Farm, an increase in bunker fuel supplies, and the possibility of a new refinery.

To carry out the refinery project, selected agencies—Abu Dhabi Ports Group (AD Ports), Indian Oil Corporation (IOCL), and Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC)—will form a joint venture company to manage operations. The MoU also includes a bidirectional petroleum pipeline between India and Sri Lanka to improve fuel logistics.

India and Thailand have elevated their bilateral relations to a strategic partnership, which strengthens diplomatic and security cooperation. PM Modi met with his Thai counterpart, Paetongtarn Shinawatra, to discuss important regional and global concerns. During the meeting, Modi highlighted India’s commitment to ASEAN unity and centrality, emphasising the importance of a free, open, and rule-based Indo-Pacific order.

Modi emphasised the need for regional peace, security, and prosperity, citing common marine interests. Without mentioning any countries, he emphasised India’s opposition to expansionism, citing concerns over China’s assertiveness in the South China Sea.

The two countries exchanged five MoUs, including one between India’s Ministry of Development of the North Eastern Region and Thailand’s foreign ministry. To strengthen economic connections, the leaders discussed trade, investments, and business collaborations, with a particular emphasis on MSMEs, handloom, and handicrafts. Modi emphasised collaboration in tourism, culture, and education, particularly with India’s northeastern states.

On security, Modi praised Thailand for its assistance in the repatriation of Indian cybercrime victims. Both sides agreed to step up their cooperation in combating human trafficking and illegal migration. The leaders also discussed expanding collaboration in renewable energy, digital technology, robotics, space, and biotechnology. As part of its people-to-people programs, India issued free e-visas for Thai tourists.

Kazakhstan and the UAE are stepping up their collaboration in digital assets, blockchain technology, and fintech. A high-level team from Kazakhstan’s financial industry recently visited the UAE on March 26-27, meeting with significant financial institutions and regulators. The team included representatives from the National Bank of Kazakhstan and the Agency for Regulation and Development of Financial Markets.

During the visit, conversations centred on the regulatory landscape of digital assets and the practical applications of blockchain. The National Bank of Kazakhstan confirmed that a MoU has been signed with the Central Bank of the UAE. This agreement is intended to promote collaboration in fintech, cybersecurity, and central bank digital currencies.

Meetings were also held with the UAE Securities and Commodities Authority to discuss merging Kazakhstan’s stock markets, such as KASE and AIFC, with the UAE’s Tabadul digital exchange. This alliance aims to improve stock market infrastructure and enable cross-border blockchain trading.

The group met with the Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority, the Abu Dhabi Global Market, and the Dubai Financial Centre Authority to talk about digital asset rules. They also worked with Mubadala Investment Holding and First Abu Dhabi Bank to build investment relations. Additionally, discussions with BCG and Microsoft centred on AI-driven financial infrastructure development.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi departed for Thailand on Thursday to attend the 6th BIMSTEC Summit. His visit is an important step towards boosting India’s regional ties and promoting collaboration within the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC).

In the farewell speech, PM Modi emphasised BIMSTEC’s expanding relevance, adding that the forum has played an important role in driving economic progress, connectivity, and regional development over the last decade. He emphasised India’s North Eastern region as a critical link in BIMSTEC due to its important geographical location.

During his visit, PM Modi plans to meet with Thailand’s Prime Minister, Paetongtarn Shinawatra, and other BIMSTEC leaders. He expressed hope for stronger diplomatic connections and deeper cooperation with member states.

Apart from the summit, PM plans to meet with the Indian diaspora in Bangkok. His trip to Thailand is part of a two-nation tour, after which he will fly to Sri Lanka from April 4-6.

India is a prominent member of BIMSTEC, a group of seven South and Southeast Asian countries. PM Modi’s participation is intended to strengthen India’s regional leadership by emphasising its commitment to economic cooperation and strategic partnerships.