Thaindian News

New Delhi, June 25 (IANS) The foreign minister of the United Arab Emirates, Sheikh Abdullah Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, will touch down here Sunday night on a 24-hour visit during which India and the Gulf federation are expected to sign pacts aimed at enhancing economic and energy ties.

Abdullah will be accompanied by senior officials from the UAE foreign affairs ministry and top corporate honchos who are looking for opportunities in areas of shipping, aviation, telecommunication and energy.

He will hold talks with India’s External Affairs Minister S.M. Krishna Monday on a wide range of bilateral and regional issues, including the intensification of trade and investment, energy security, global finance and energy security.

He will also call on Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Vice President Hamid Ansari.

Pacts to encourage trade and investment and energy cooperation are likely to be signed after the delegation -level talks, said informed sources.

“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,” India’s ambassador to UAE M.K. Lokesh told an Arab daily ahead of the visit.

The two sides are expected to discuss co-operation in technology transfer, research and development in areas related to space, agriculture, pharmaceuticals and bio-technology.

The two sides are exploring possibilities of setting up industrial complexes in the Gulf as well as in India and third countries to cater to the markets worldwide.

Bilateral trade between India and the United Arab Emirates was estimated to be $43.46 billion in 2009-10.