jaishankar-engages-with-uae-on-strategic-ties

External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar engaged in significant discussions with his UAE counterpart, Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, focusing on bolstering the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between India and the UAE. The meeting, held on Monday in Abu Dhabi, emphasised the deepening ties and shared perspectives on various regional and global issues.

 

Expressing his satisfaction with the discussions, Jaishankar took to social media platform X to share, “Very pleased to meet UAE FM @ABZayed today in Abu Dhabi. Productive and deep conversations on our ever growing Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. Appreciated the discussion and his insights on regional and global issues.”

 

The India-UAE comprehensive strategic partnership traces its roots back to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to the UAE on 16-17 August 2015. A significant milestone in this relationship was marked in 2022 with the signing of the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) during a virtual summit between PM Modi and UAE President Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Al-Nahyan.

 

During his official visit to the UAE, Jaishankar actively participated in the 10th International Day of Yoga celebrations at the Louvre Abu Dhabi. Joined by Indian Ambassador to UAE, Sunjay Sudhir, Jaishankar led the event, highlighting Yoga as a practice that originated in India but has gained universal appeal.

 

Reflecting on the occasion, Jaishankar shared on X, “Joined international yoga enthusiasts @LouvreAbuDhabi as we celebrate the #InternationalDayofYoga 2024 in the UAE.” He underscored the transformative impact of Yoga globally, stating, “Yoga has acted as a motivation, as a magnet, as a method of really gathering people, spreading the practice, actually in a way keeping the planet happier, healthier, more connected.”

 

Earlier, Jaishankar visited the BAPS Hindu Mandir in Abu Dhabi, an iconic symbol of cultural affinity between India and the UAE. He described the temple as a testament to the strong bonds of friendship shared by both nations, emphasising its role as a cultural bridge.

 

The BAPS temple, inaugurated by Prime Minister Modi on February 14, stands as the first Hindu temple in Abu Dhabi. Its inauguration was attended by Sheikh Nahayan Mabarak Al Nahyan, the UAE’s Minister of Tolerance and Coexistence, further underscoring the spirit of cultural harmony between the two countries.

 

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) highlighted that Jaishankar’s visit provided an opportunity to comprehensively review the spectrum of the strategic partnership between India and the UAE, taking into account various regional and global developments.