India, UAE sign 14 pacts on enhancing ties; an MoU to check human trafficking

On the Agreement on Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between India and the UAE, a statement from the External Affairs Ministry said: "This is a general framework agreement which highlights the areas of bilateral cooperation identified under the comprehensive strategic partnership as agreed upon in the high level joint statements issued in the August 2015 and February 2016."

The agreements between two sides have fructified after Prime Minister Narendra Modi and visiting Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan held delegation-level talk. The Crown Prince is on a state visit and will also grace the Republic Day parade as the chief guest.

The official statement said an MoU was signed that seeks to enhance bilateral cooperation on the issue of prevention, rescue, recovery and repatriation related to human trafficking, especially of women and children expeditiously.

In the pact signed between Ministry of Defence of both countries, the Memorandum of Understanding aims to establish cooperation in the identified fields of defence manufacturing and technology, including through studies, research, development, innovation and cooperation between public and private sector institutions of the two countries. "The two sides will cooperate in areas of armaments, defence industries and transfer of technology," it said.

A MoU was also exchanged that will strengthen ties between Prasar Bharati and Emirates News Agency (WAM) through cooperation in the field of broadcasting, mutual exchange of programmes, news and best practices.

The MoU between the Ministry of Commerce and Industry and the Ministry of Economy of United Arab Emirates seeks to enhance cooperation in the field of anti-dumping and allied duties through exchange of information, capacity-building, seminars and training in mutually identified areas related to trade remedial measures. There was also an agreement on Oil Storage And Management between Indian Strategic Petroleum Reserves Limited and Abu Dhabi National Oil Company. 

Both sides among other agreements also signed an MoU that would provide a framework for enhancing bilateral maritime trade ties through facilitating maritime transport, free transfer of monies between contracting parties and reciprocal recognition of ships' documents.

Between the Directorate General of Shipping, India and the Federal Transport Authority- Land and Maritime in the UAE aims to deepen the maritime economic activities in general by establishing a framework for Mutual Recognition of Certificates of Competency of marine officers, engineers and crews.

There is also a pact seeking to establish cooperation in the sectors of Highways and Road transport through sharing of technologies, systems and best practices in freight logistics, warehousing and value added services.

In order to boost Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) and innovation, an MoU was signed aiming at promoting cooperation in MSMEs Sectors, including in joint projects, R&D and related activities.

Similarly, the MoU between the Union Ministry of Agriculture and the Ministry of Climate Change & Environment of UAE will seek to develop a framework for cooperation in various agricultural fields of mutual interest, including through enhancement of cooperation in food processing and transfer of technology in cultivation methods. There was also a pact that would allow holders of diplomatic, special and official passports visa free travel between the two countries, the statement from the MEA said.

There was also a MoU between India's National Productivity Council and Al Etihad Energy Services Co. LLC to ensure cooperation in Energy Efficiency Services.

Another such pact was signed between National Security Council Secretariat of India & National Electronic Security Authority of the UAE on technology development and cooperation in cyberspace.