well. One of the most impressive relationships India has with any nation in the world is with the United Arab Emirates. The prime minister was recently in the U a taking forward that relationship. It is a strategic relationship, but the possibilities seem fairly boundless, particularly if you look at the economic possibilities. We've got a wonderful guest with us. Um, the ambassador of the United Arab Emirates to New Delhi. Thanks very much for being with us, Dr Al, Let me begin by asking you a little bit about what everybody is talking about. Um, the Rupe dim trade pact in simple terms. What does it mean for people in my country and people in yours? It means you can settle trade and local currencies without having to go through a third party or a third currency, which means naturally lower cost for traders, exporters, importers and which should, by extension, expand trade over the coming years. And you've been very closely part of the process of setting this up. How long did it actually take for both sides to agree and agree to implement this? Not longer. Actually. I don't know if you know this or not, but the EPA was negotiated and signed in less than three months. This was not in less than three months, but the technical conversation was going on for quite some time. And as soon as they agreed on the technical details and that it is possible to take place they were ready to sign. Uh, let's look at this in the context of where overall trade is between both our countries, the target is $100 billion in trade. How realistic is that? And what is the time period or the window within which you see that happening? Well, I've been here for less than a year, and the trade figure was updated from the time I came, when it was $44 billion and non oil bilateral trade, the figure that was announced over the weekend was slightly higher than $50 billion in non oil trade. So you can see that there is quite an increase there over the period of a year, or even somewhat less. The target is $100 billion by 2030 in non oil trade, and as you can see if this trajectory continues, that should be easily achievable. What are some of the key areas that the United Arab Emirates and India are presently looking at? Going forward? Small, medium enterprises, MS Entrepreneurs, space cooperation, food security, energy security? I've been visiting states meeting entrepreneurs, seeing what are the opportunities available? What are the new technologies and innovations that Indian talent has to offer for the to be able to be part of and to collaborate on before we get to more specifics? Just a broader question on how is there a sense of real excitement in the United Arab Emirates on what the diaspora brings? Now the new new younger diaspora brings to the United Arab Emirates and the new areas, and why you want to take this relationship with India forward. Let me start by saying that this relationship is historic and the Indian diaspora theory have always been welcome. They would always be welcome. We acknowledge them, and we appreciate them as part of the US journey and where the UE stands today. And I think this is something that I don't see it as a government official, but I say it also as something that the UAE people feel and express towards the Indian diaspora moving forward. I can see that all of those entrepreneurs, SME ME, will find ways to cooperate with the companies to invest together, to get into business partnerships and to find that the UAE can be a very good market, not only to sell into, but to export from the U elsewhere. There is a very strong leadership to leadership association Prime Minister Modi with, you know, the leadership in the United Arab Emirates, the royal family and there's been such a wonderful personal connect. Um, could you tell us a little bit about that? We're very fortunate to have his Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed and to have Sri Prime Minister Modi and to see this personal relationship that has been driving the momentum in this relationship. And in this partnership forward, you could see it whenever they meet. Whenever there is some sort of a reception, short meeting, a few hours, engagement. Um, when they converse about various topics, Um, the kind of energy that they bring to this relationship is exceptional, and I have no doubt and 100% confidence that this would continue to be the case. We're quite fortunate. It is fantastic. now linking the UE and India payments and messaging systems. Um, you know, that's the technical part of what we were talking about earlier on. But when it does fully work, how will it ensure the seamless transactions that people in both our countries want? Well, every system, when first introduced, will have its glitches. And so whenever this happens, the technical teams will need to meet and see how they can smoothen the process. But again, the idea is that you don't go through a third party, which naturally means you do need to have some sort of communication between your two payment platforms, and this is what they have agreed on. We have a comprehensive strategic partnership, and that's evolved over a period of time. Where is that strategic partnership today? Best shapes. Yet every single time the two leaders meet, there are always new ideas of things that we can do together, more investments that we could work on, whether in India or in the UE. And it's great I have come out of the meeting with at least 56 items that I need to personally follow up on, and I don't doubt that this will always be the case. What are some of those areas? Give us a little bit of an insight. Well, one of the things is how can we make it easier for people to travel between the two countries? What is missing in taking this forward? Is it just about aviation? Is it the visa scheme? Whatever. That would make it easier for India to travel to the UE. We should be able to do it and to work on it. Another thing is a very specific project in a very specific state, which I obviously cannot was here, but you will get to hear about in the near future. But there was a personal interest from the two leaders to make sure that not only this project but any other project that both leaders and both countries are interested in should be focused on and moved ahead and ambassador. One of the common concerns which which obviously the United Arab Emirates and India has, is the concern on terrorism. India has repeatedly expressed at so many levels, including at the United Nations, the concern over financing of terror. Where does the United Arab Emirates stand on the battle of the war against terrorism at all levels. Well, we have been partners of this for quite some time. We both suffered from it and our position is that we need to combat. We need to counter terrorism, extremism and the narrative surrounding it in whatever way or form, not just in terms of countering the financing of terrorism, but all forms in all shapes of it. And how do you see progress or cooperation? As far as the fight against terror is concerned, how do you see that expanding? Do you see that expanding? It's ongoing, and it will always be something that we jointly work on and collaborate on. Clean energy is another area which the United Arab Emirates has focused on a great deal before. We talk about the India, connect with clean energy which obviously people in this country are very keen on, and the government certainly is. Could you tell us about a lot of the steps that the UE has taken in in clean energy and in green energy? Because, you know, you've been fairly part breaking in terms of what you've put on the ground, despite the fact that we are a hydro carbon producer and exporter. We have invested $50 billion more or less in terms of clean energy projects. We will continue to invest more another $50 billion in the future, not only in the U but in other countries. We are also very committed to India's goals. When it comes to clean energy and the best energy mix that fits India as a nation, could you tell us a little bit about you know, India's role this year? We are leading the G 20 process. Uh, how important is it for India to emerge as the voice of the Global South? Um, and how important is the G 20 process towards? You know, some of the goals which India and the U a share. India is a strategic partner, and they are an important partner in the global South and an important voice in the Global South. And we always count on India's support and help in advancing not only the agenda when it comes to Cop 28 but the world's aspirations as well. Um, what I found really interesting is that there are Indian educational institutes also now coming up in the United Arab Emirates. Uh, that's interesting. Um, and what do you believe is the future of that more educational offerings to Indian diaspora and other populations coming from elsewhere who are keen on getting an Indian education, or maybe a French education or an American or British education? What we are focused on in the E is to have those offerings and the different levels of education out there, and to make sure that we get the best institutes and India and elsewhere to be able to deliver such high class, world class education. And the that's an interesting point ambassador, because so many from our country look to travel to the United Kingdom or to Australia or Canada or the US to get an education. What you are suggesting is that going forward, the U might be an equally viable destination. Is that right? Yes, and we're only three hours away, so it just makes it easier for family to visit parents to visit for students to travel back and forth. And this is the kind of thing that I was referring to earlier when I said, We need this ease of travel. We need this better connectivity for everyone because when you work on education projects or medical tourism projects or any other kind of project. You want to make sure that the ecosystem around it is also supportive of its success. Um, you know, this is something that interests me also aviation. Now the United Arab Emirates has a massive presence in India. Obviously, we now, of course, are seeing a restructured Air India. Do you see that as being a lot of competition for both Etihad and for Emirates going forward? The reason, I ask, is because Emirates still recently had more destinations out of India than even Air India did. They eventually would have the same. There are great ambitious plans to expand the points and the travel schedules and the flights being made available by Air India, not only to countries in the region, but also beyond. I don't see it as a competition. I see it as airlines from both countries complementing one another and seeing how they can find future areas of cooperation. A final question. What was your big takeaway from this visit of Prime Minister Modi to the UE that yes, we have done a lot. We have achieved a lot, but there is always more to do. There's always there are always ways to make things better and both countries, both leaders, are extremely committed to that. Well, there you have it. The ambassador of the United Arab Emirates to New Delhi telling us a little bit about that important state visit by Prime Minister Modi to the U. The U A is a really important strategic partner of India in terms of our energy requirements, in terms of broader global geo strategic issues, clean energy and, of course, the people to people link, which really is the bedrock of that relationship.
