Abdullah's India visit to cement ties

Shaikh Abdullah Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, UAE Foreign Minister, will pay an official visit to India on June 27 along with a high-level delegation, UAE government sources and the Indian Embassy in Abu Dhabi told Gulf News Wednesday. The high-profile visit may result in the conclusion of some agreements in important areas of cooperation, the UAE sources said. Shaikh Abdullah will be accompanied by officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and other senior officials, as well as several business leaders and CEOs of key companies in the areas of shipping, aviation, telecommunication and energy. He will hold discussions with the Indian External Affairs Minister S.M. Krishna as well as senior Indian leaders including the Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on bilateral and international issues, M.K. Lokesh, Indian Ambassador to the UAE, said. India and the UAE have close relations based on historic foundations, he said. Currently, the two countries are its largest trading partners with bilateral trade amounting to around $44 billion (Dh161.48 billion) in 2009-2010. Investments are growing substantially from both sides, the ambassador said. In addition, the UAE is an important supplier of crude oil to India. Both countries share common perceptions on major global issues in the security, economic and environmental fields, Lokesh said. "Both sides have expressed their desire to take their partnership to strategic levels. The visit comes at a time when new global challenges are emerging and both the countries have common interests in their early resolution," the ambassador said. India recognises and appreciates the growing role of the UAE in regional and global affairs and its initiatives in maritime security, peace-keeping operations and regional peace initiatives as well as in other areas like global governance, environment, and renewable energy sectors, Lokesh said. The visit will provide a valuable opportunity to further cement the warm and friendly relations that exist between the two countries, he said. From / Gulf News