On Monday, India and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) signed four major agreements to enhance energy cooperation and civil nuclear collaboration. The agreements were finalized during discussions between Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan in New Delhi.
The most notable agreement is a nuclear cooperation pact for the maintenance and operations of the Barakah Nuclear Power Plant. The Indian External Affairs Ministry highlighted that this MoU aims to advance cooperation in nuclear power plant operations, source nuclear goods and services from India, and explore mutual investment opportunities and capacity building.
Additional agreements include a long-term contract for the supply of one million metric tonnes of liquefied natural gas (LNG) annually from the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) to the Indian Oil Corporation Ltd. Another agreement facilitates crude oil storage in India through ADNOC and India Strategic Petroleum Reserve Ltd (ISPRL).
The Emirates Nuclear Energy Company (ENEC) and India’s Nuclear Power Corporation of India Ltd (NPCIL) also signed a pact to boost cooperation in nuclear power plant operations, including the sourcing of nuclear goods and services from India, mutual investments, and capacity building.
This visit marks Crown Prince Sheikh Khaled’s first official trip to India since becoming the crown prince.
