India, UAE sign agreement on civil nuclear energy.
The recent signing of the civil nuclear energy agreement between India and the UAE occurred during the visit of Sheikh Khalid bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, to New Delhi. This landmark deal marks a significant milestone in the bilateral relationship between the two nations. The agreement aims to enhance cooperation in the field of nuclear energy, promoting the peaceful use of nuclear technology and fostering mutual benefits. The visit underscored the strong diplomatic ties between India and the UAE, paving the way for further collaboration in energy and technology sectors.
On Monday, India and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) marked a significant milestone by signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for civil nuclear cooperation. This groundbreaking agreement, forged between the Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited (NPCIL) and the Emirates Nuclear Energy Company (ENEC)-led Barakah Nuclear Power Plant Operations and Maintenance, represents the first of its kind between the two nations. The deal was signed during the visit of Sheikh Khalid bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, to New Delhi, underscoring the deepening of bilateral relations in the energy sector.
The agreement aligns with the broader cooperation framework established during Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to the UAE in August 2015. During that visit, both countries committed to collaborating in the “peaceful use of nuclear energy,” which includes efforts in safety, health, agriculture, and science and technology. Diplomatic sources highlighted that the MoU between NPCIL and ENEC is unprecedented, marking a significant step in the UAE’s strategy to expand its investments in nuclear energy.
The MoU reflects years of discussions on nuclear cooperation between India and the UAE. A notable development in this collaborative journey occurred on September 19, 2022, when the Foreign Ministers of France, India, and the UAE met in New York on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly. This meeting led to the launch of a trilateral cooperation format focused on energy, particularly solar and nuclear energy. This trilateral dialogue was further reinforced by a phone call among the three Foreign Ministers on February 4, 2023. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) stated that the trilateral initiative aims to promote the design and execution of cooperation projects in energy fields, emphasizing solar and nuclear energy.
On the same day as the nuclear cooperation agreement, additional significant deals were concluded. The UAE and India signed a long-term LNG supply MoU between Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) and Indian Oil Corporation Limited. This agreement is intended to secure a stable supply of liquefied natural gas, further strengthening the energy ties between the two countries. Another agreement was signed between ADNOC and India Strategic Petroleum Reserve Limited (ISPRL), focusing on strategic petroleum reserves. Additionally, Urja Bharat and ADNOC finalized a Production Concession Agreement for Abu Dhabi Onshore Block 1, enhancing exploration and production activities.
This agreement is particularly noteworthy as it aligns with the I2U2 grouping, which includes Israel and the United States, and envisions the establishment of food parks in Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh. The MoU for food parks in Gujarat represents an extension of this international grouping, reflecting a collaborative approach to food security and development.
The visit of the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and the agreements signed underscore the dynamic and evolving relationship between India and the UAE. The timing of these agreements is also significant, coming shortly after the first India-Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Foreign Ministers’ meeting held in Riyadh on September 8-9. During this meeting, Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar emphasized the critical role of the GCC in global energy supply and highlighted India’s position as one of the world’s largest and fastest-growing energy markets. His remarks underscored the importance of strengthening energy cooperation to meet future demands.
In summary, the India-UAE civil nuclear energy agreement, along with the other MoUs signed, marks a new chapter in the strategic partnership between the two nations. These agreements reflect a commitment to expanding cooperation in key sectors such as nuclear energy, LNG supply, strategic reserves, and food security. The developments also highlight the broader regional context and the growing significance of India and the UAE in global energy and strategic dialogues.