The Hindu : Front Page : India, UAE consider shoring up military ties

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Wednesday, May 14, 2008
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India, UAE consider shoring up military ties

Atul Aneja

Pranab Mukherjee discusses possible joint production of sophisticated military hardware

DUBAI: India and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) have taken a fresh look at shoring up their military ties as part of their effort to substantiate a multifaceted relationship.

The visiting Minister of External Affairs, Pranab Mukherjee, held detailed discussions on Tuesday with Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and the Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE armed forces.

Diplomatic sources said that the talks explored ways to establish a “long-term” defence relationship based on possible joint development and manufacture of sophisticated military hardware in the future. Analysts say that discussions on the development of hardware are a step forward in efforts to streamline the military relationship, which so far has been dominated by naval ship visits and training exchange programmes.

Mr. Mukherjee’s visit also focused on ways to regularise interaction at the official and political level. India’s ambassador to the UAE Talmiz Ahmad said at a press conference on Tuesday that Foreign Office consultations, which will review major political developments at the bilateral and regional level, are now expected to be held annually. Special emphasis will also be laid on having regular meetings of the India-UAE Joint Commission that would take stock of the economic relationship at a macro-level.

The India-GCC (Gulf Cooperation Council) dialogue that is held annually on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) will now be held in a GCC country or in New Delhi alternatively. Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Qatar, UAE, Kuwait and Oman comprise the GCC. “We hope that all these efforts would eventually result in a structured collective security dialogue at a regional level,” Mr.Ahmad said.

Heavy investments

Keen to deepen economic ties, the emirate of Dubai plans to make heavy investments in India. At a presentation by the Dubai Executive Councilthe apex body that steers the economy, specific companies which were represented shared their vision of engaging with India.

The Dubai Ports World, which manages ports in key locations across the globe plans to raise its investment in India from the current $2.4 billion to $15billion in the next five years. The Real Estate giant Limitless proposed an investment of $12 billion with DLF in the Bidadi township near Bangalore. The government owned conglomerate, Dubai Holding, plans to invest in roads, bridges and telecommunications.

Sources pointed out that a “critical mass” was now being created which will not only result in UAE’s investments in India, but also in equal measure, India’s investments in its Gulf neighbourhood. While the Gulf will remain a major energy provider, India on its part wished to add value to its partnership in the oil and gas sector.

Mr. Mukherjee said during an address to business leaders on Tuesday that the UAE could invest in “the entire value chain for petroleum, including refining, product pipelines, storage and retail as well as for natural gas.”

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