In a historic move, India UAE Nuclear Power Plant Collaboration has been signed, Know the full details in the article.
The deal, which was formalized between the Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited (NPCIL) and the Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation (ENEC)-led Barakah Nuclear Power Plant Operations and Maintenance, marks the first time such an agreement has been established between the two nations.
The MoU was signed during the visit of Sheikh Khalid bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, to India.
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India UAE Nuclear Power Plant Collaboration
The civil nuclear agreement is the culmination of discussions that began during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to the UAE in August 2015.
At that time, both countries had agreed to collaborate on the “peaceful use of nuclear energy,” with an emphasis on areas such as safety, health, agriculture, and technology.
The newly signed MoU is a direct result of these initial talks and reflects the growing strategic partnership between India and the UAE.
The agreement is part of the UAE’s broader policy to invest in nuclear energy as a sustainable and reliable source of power.
The Barakah Nuclear Power Plant is a flagship project in the UAE’s nuclear energy strategy, and the involvement of NPCIL underscores India’s technical expertise in the field.
Trilateral Cooperation: A Broader Vision
The MoU follows a series of trilateral discussions involving India, the UAE, and France. On September 19, 2022, the foreign ministers of the three nations met in New York during the UN General Assembly to launch a trilateral cooperation format.
This meeting was followed by a phone call on February 4, 2023, during which the three ministers discussed the future of nuclear and solar energy collaborations.
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) emphasized that this trilateral initiative aims to design and execute energy cooperation projects, with a special focus on both solar and nuclear energy.
This cooperation is seen as a step forward in strengthening ties between India, the UAE, and France, with the potential to foster further innovation in the global energy sector.
Expanding India-UAE Energy Ties
Beyond civil nuclear energy, the visit of the Crown Prince also saw the signing of additional agreements that further solidified the energy relationship between India and the UAE.
A notable MoU was signed for long-term Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) supply between Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) and Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL), ensuring a steady supply of LNG to meet India’s growing energy demands.
Additionally, ADNOC signed another agreement with India Strategic Petroleum Reserve Limited (ISPRL), and a Production Concession Agreement for Abu Dhabi Onshore Block 1 was signed with Urja Bharat. These agreements highlight the UAE’s strategic role in India’s energy security.
Expanding Cooperation Beyond Energy
The partnership between India and the UAE is not limited to energy. Another key agreement was signed between the Government of Gujarat and Abu Dhabi Developmental Holding Company PJSC (ADQ) for the development of food parks in India.
This initiative is part of the I2U2 grouping, which includes India, Israel, the UAE, and the United States. The food parks are intended to boost food security and agricultural cooperation, particularly in the states of Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh.
Strengthening India-GCC Relations
The signing of these agreements takes place against the backdrop of growing cooperation between India and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries.
On September 8-9, the first India-GCC Foreign Ministers’ meeting was held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
During the meeting, India’s External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar stressed the importance of GCC nations as a cornerstone of global energy supply and highlighted India’s role as one of the fastest-growing energy markets.
In his opening remarks, Jaishankar voiced concerns about the situation in Gaza and emphasized the need for collaboration to ensure energy security and stability.
He noted that much of the future energy demand would come from India, further underlining the importance of strengthening ties with GCC nations.
Conclusion: A New Era of Collaboration
The civil nuclear energy agreement between India and the UAE marks a pivotal moment in the growing strategic partnership between the two countries.
It opens up new avenues for collaboration in energy, technology, and agriculture, positioning both nations as leaders in sustainable development.
As India continues to grow its energy demands, this partnership will play a crucial role in ensuring energy security and fostering innovation in nuclear and renewable energy.
With the signing of these agreements, India and the UAE have laid a strong foundation for future cooperation across multiple sectors, reinforcing their commitment to shared growth and development in the years to come.