India and the UAE discussed ways to boost their comprehensive strategic partnership with focus on energy security as PM Narendra Modi held talks with Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan. The two sides signed five MoUs, including one for nuclear cooperation and another for long term LNG supply between Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) and Indian Oil Corporation Limited.
This is the first visit by the Crown Prince, the son of UAE President Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan who is known to share a close rapport with Modi, to India in his official capacity. A list of documents signed said the MoU for nuclear cooperation is in the field of Barakah Nuclear Power Plant Operations and Maintenance between Emirates Nuclear Energy Company (ENEC) and Nuclear Power Cooperation of India Limited (NPCIL). Barakah is UAE’s first nuclear plant and an important part of the country’s efforts to diversify its energy sources.
The govt, in a statement, said, “The MoU on Nuclear Cooperation is expected to enhance cooperation in the operation and maintenance of nuclear power plants, sourcing of nuclear goods and services from India, exploring mutual investment opportunities and capacity building.” Modi in a post on X said, “We had fruitful talks on a wide range of issues. His passion towards strong India-UAE friendship is clearly visible.”
According to Indian authorities, the agreement for long-term supply of LNG is for 1 million metric tonne per annum and is the third such contract signed in just over a year. These contracts have strengthened energy security in India by diversifying LNG sources, said the Indian govt.
The MoU between ADNOC and India Strategic Petroleum Reserve Limited (ISPRL) provides for exploring ADNOC's participation in additional opportunities for crude storage in India and the renewal of their storage and management agreement on mutually acceptable terms and conditions. Another MoU between Urja Bharat (a JV of IOCL and Bharat Petro resources Ltd) and ADNOC, the first for any Indian company operating in the UAE, will allow Urja Bharat to bring crude oil to India, according to the govt, thus contributing towards the country’s energy security.
The Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan is the one who gave permission for first Hindu temple to be built in the Gulf countries. Brahmaviharidas Swami of BAPS has described Abu Dhabi as the world's capital of harmony.
