On September 9, 2024, India and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) took a significant step in their bilateral relations by signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for civil nuclear cooperation. This historic agreement was signed between the Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited (NPCIL) and the Emirates Nuclear Energy Company (ENEC)-led Barakah Nuclear Power Plant Operations and Maintenance, during the visit of Sheikh Khalid bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi.
The MoU represents a milestone in the nuclear energy collaboration between the two nations, building on the agreement made during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to the UAE in August 2015. The initial agreement focused on the peaceful use of nuclear energy in various sectors including safety, health, agriculture, and science and technology.
Trilateral Cooperation
This agreement is part of a broader trilateral cooperation initiative launched by the Foreign Ministers of France, India, and the UAE on September 19, 2022, during the UN General Assembly. The trilateral initiative aims to promote cooperation projects in energy, with a particular emphasis on solar and nuclear energy. This was further solidified by a follow-up phone call among the three ministers in February 2023.
Additional Agreements
In addition to the nuclear cooperation MoU, several other agreements were signed during the Crown Prince’s visit:
- LNG Supply: An MoU was signed between Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) and Indian Oil Corporation Limited for long-term LNG supply. A further agreement between ADNOC and India Strategic Petroleum Reserve Limited (ISPRL) was also established.
- Production Concession: Urja Bharat and ADNOC signed a Production Concession Agreement for Abu Dhabi Onshore Block 1.
- Food Parks Development: A MoU between the Government of Gujarat and Abu Dhabi Developmental Holding Company PJSC (ADQ) was signed to develop food parks in India, complementing the I2U2 grouping which includes Israel and the United States.
Strategic Dialogue
The visit of the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi coincided with the first India-Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Foreign Ministers’ meeting held in Riyadh. During the meeting, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar emphasized the GCC’s crucial role in global energy supply and highlighted India’s growing market demand.
This series of agreements underscores the deepening strategic ties between India and the UAE and reflects both countries’ commitment to enhancing cooperation in key sectors including energy and infrastructure.
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