India and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) signed their first MoU for civil nuclear cooperation.
The deal involves Nuclear Power Cooperation of India Ltd. (NPCIL) and the ENEC (Emirates Nuclear Energy Company)-led Barakah Nuclear Power Plant Operations and Maintenance.
The agreement was signed during the visit of Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, to India.
During Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to the UAE in August 2015, both countries agreed to cooperate in the “peaceful use of nuclear energy,” covering areas like safety, health, agriculture, and science and technology.
This MoU marks a first-of-its-kind agreement between NPCIL and ENEC.
The MoU results from discussions over several years between India and the UAE.
On September 19, 2022, France, India, and the UAE Foreign Ministers launched a trilateral cooperation format at the UN General Assembly in New York.
A subsequent phone call on February 4, 2023, confirmed the trilateral initiative to promote cooperation projects in energy, focusing on solar and nuclear energy.
An MoU was signed for long-term LNG supply between Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) and Indian Oil Corporation Ltd.
A Production Concession Agreement for Abu Dhabi Onshore Block 1 was signed between Urja Bharat and ADNOC.
A third agreement was between ADNOC and India Strategic Petroleum Reserve Ltd. (ISPRL).
A fifth MoU was signed between the Government of Gujarat and Abu Dhabi Developmental Holding Company PJSC (ADQ) for food parks development in India.
India and the UAE are part of the I2U2 grouping, which includes Israel and the United States.
The I2U2 Group is a strategic partnership between India, Israel, the United Arab Emirates, and the United States.
To Promote economic development, Encourage scientific innovation, Ensure regional stability, Address common challenges, and Explore new opportunities for growth.
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