Modi’s UAE visit: A new chapter, a joint message to Pakistan

In a veiled message to Pakistan, the statement made clear: “The two nations reject extremism and any link between religion and terrorism. They condemn efforts, including by states, to use religion to justify, support and sponsor terrorism against other countries. They also deplore efforts by countries to give religious and sectarian colour to political issues and disputes, including in West and South Asia, and use terrorism to pursue their aims.”

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It said the two countries “denounce and oppose terrorism in all forms and manifestations, wherever committed and by whomever, calling on all states to reject and abandon the use of terrorism against other countries, dismantle terrorism infrastructures where they exist, and bring perpetrators of terrorism to justice”.

India has been demanding that Pakistan bring to book the plotters and perpetrators of the 26/11 Mumbai attacks and the joint statement is significant in that context.

In the Emirates, the rise of the Islamic State and its activities in its backyard is causing great worry. The UAE has been seeking international support to counter IS propaganda and activities. New Delhi, on its part, agreed to coordinate efforts to counter radicalization and misuse of religions by groups and countries.

Foreign Secretary S Jaishankar said: “The growth of terrorism and the fact that radicalization and misuse of religion has contributed to it is something which both countries share. We both see manifestations of it around us and clearly that is one source of concern… But the view was that while fighting, combating, countering the non- governmental forces which are promoting, advocating and supporting terrorism in the case when you have governments which are involved in some way, steps should also be taken to dismantle infrastructure and bring perpetrators to justice.”

Enhancing cooperation in counter-terrorism operations, intelligence sharing and capacity building, the two countries decided to “work together to control, regulate and share information on flow of funds that could have a bearing on radicalization activities and cooperate in interdicting illegal flows and take action against concerned individuals and organisations” and establish points of contact between their security agencies.

The National Security Advisors (NSAs) of the two countries and their councils will meet every six months — NSA Ajit Doval was part of the delegation-level talks.

Asked whether the case of fugitive underworld don Dawood Ibrahim and his properties was discussed, Jaishankar said there was a larger discussion on trends which are negative sources of instability for both countries and the region.

Another significant outcome of Modi’s two-day visit and his talks with the Crown Prince was the decision to set up an UAE-Indian Infrastructure Investment Fund.

The UAE will cooperate in the manufacture of defence equipment in India and “encourage the investment institutions of UAE to raise their investments in India, including through the establishment of UAE-India Infrastructure Investment Fund, with the aim of reaching a target of USD 75 billion to support investment in India’s plans for rapid expansion of next generation infrastructure, especially in railways, ports, roads, airports and industrial corridors and parks.”
The target is to increase trade between the two countries by 60 per cent in the next five years.

New Delhi also got the UAE to back its bid for a permanent seat in the UN Security Council, and push for adoption of a Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism.

The joint statement paved the way for promotion of a strategic partnership in the energy sector, including through UAE’s participation in India in the development of strategic petroleum reserves, upstream and downstream petroleum sectors, and collaboration in third countries.

There will be enhanced cooperation to strengthen maritime security in the Gulf and the Indian Ocean region and promote collaboration and inter-operability for humanitarian assistance and evacuation in natural disasters and conflict situations.