UAE Eyes More Ties with G20 Chair India Before Scheduled Summit

(Photo : NOAH SEELAM/AFP via Getty Images)
The UAE wants to have G20 Chair India in more deals before the scheduled summit.

UAE wants more ties other than economic ones with India, the G20 chair.
The Arab country sees more engagement as a benefit for both G20 members.
India has been a pivot for other Arab nations since assuming the Group of 20 leadership.

India, the G20 Chair, informed the UAE of desiring an expanded interaction ahead of the scheduled summit. The Arab states see this as a major development that will benefit both G20 members.

UAE Makes Overtures to India

Both nations are part of the Group of 20, the largest economy, and the UAE Ambassador to India, Abdulnasser Jamal Al-Shaali, told of this expectation. They signed the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement that came into effect in May of last year, reported Arab News.

The deal signed included conditions like fewer tariffs on 80 percent of the traded goods. Another is zero duty access covering 90 percent of exports from India.

Abdulnasser Jamal Al-Shaali spoke to the outlet on Tuesday, making these statements about the deal. He remarked that progress is continuous, and the moment from it is desirable. Mentioned that a few ministers dropped by to visit every month. Added that trade in non-oil is more than $40 billion with a target of $100 billion up to 2027, cited Live Mint.

He added they have been extending ties with New Delhi in any way they can. Mentioned bilateral and even trilateral relations, venues that can be used for dialogue and discussion. Saying that the United Arab Emirates is active in the Group of 20 have New Delhi as the head.

Scheduled G2O Summit To Be More Inclusive

New Delhi will invite more Middle Eastern nations other than the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the only member of that region, and plans to invite more non-Group of 20 members to attend processes and meetings.

Mentioned as the special guest of New Delhi is the United Arab Emirates, which will participate in the G20 meeting this September, noted Gulf News.

Statement of the Emirates ambassador remarked that more nations from the Middle East getting a chance to join the group would benefit from it. India will reap the windfall of the advantages as a partner of the Middle East. Al-Shaali made it clear that the Group of 20 is a major venue for New Delhi and the Arab World to have more interaction. This benefit will trickle down to G20 members and non-members.

The Abu Dhabi ambassador added that the Indian government assures representation will be different in the Group of 20 meetings. Seen in contrast to what has been seen before New Delhi took the lead. He added the current chair is committed to the Middle East, and it gets support for its G20 presidency.

The success of last year's trade pact with New Delhi and Abu Dhabi in 2022 has been successful for both partners in the deal. Furthermore, Abu Dhabi wants to add people-to-people relations as another goal for their bilateral relationship.

Al-Shaali remarked that it's just the beginning, and focusing on interpersonal ties is a major goal for his country. He added that a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was just signed to create a cultural council and a second chapter of the India-UAE business council. All avenues that Abu Dhabi and New Delhi can interact with are getting attention. For the UAE having more interaction with the G20 chair India way ahead of the scheduled summit is a major thrust.