India, UAE to deepen strategic ties, counter terror

India, UAE to deepen strategic ties, counter terror

Context:
The External Affairs Ministry has recently announced that India and the UAE will hold a bilateral naval exercise.

Details

• It has been declared that India and the UAE will hold naval exercise as maritime security becomes a crucial domain of cooperation focussing on Indian Ocean and the Gulf region.
• This declaration came during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s discussion with the leadership of the Gulf country with both sides agreeing to deepen the strategic partnership and counter terrorism and threats to stability in the region.
• The decision to conduct the first bilateral Naval Exercise during 2018 was first taken during the latest round of JDCC [Joint Defence Cooperation Committee] held in New Delhi in December 2017.
• Both India and the UAE have resolved to continue working together towards the adoption of India’s proposed Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism in the United Nations.
• The countries have affirmed partnership on the cyber front and declared that joint research and development centres of excellence to fight cyber threats will be expedited.
• Further, India and UAE has also reviewed contribution from UAE’s sovereign wealth fund ADIA (Abu Dhabi Investment Authority)
• Prime Minister Modi has also welcomed ADIA’s participation in India’s National Infrastructure Investment Fund as an anchor investor and welcomed DP World’s agreement with NIIF to create a joint investment platform for ports, terminals, and transportation and logistics businesses in India
• There has also been a landmark concession to an ONGC-led energy consortium by ADMA-OPCO in lower Zakum oil fields of UAE