INDIA-UAE COOPERATION : INTERNATIONAL
RELATION
NEWS : India,
UAE sign civil nuclear energy agreement
WHAT’S IN THE NEWS ?
The
signing of the deal took place during the visit of Sheikh Khalid bin Mohamed
bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, to New Delhi
India-UAE Civil Nuclear Cooperation:
- MoU Signed: India and UAE signed an MoU
for civil nuclear cooperation, expanding peaceful nuclear
energy collaboration.
- 2015 Agreement:
During PM Modi’s 2015 visit, both countries agreed on nuclear energy
cooperation, covering safety, health, agriculture, and technology.
- LNG Supply:
Alongside the nuclear MoU, an MoU was signed for long-term LNG
supply between ADNOC and Indian Oil Corporation.
India’s Civil Nuclear Cooperation:
- Peaceful Uses: Focuses on using
nuclear energy for peaceful purposes like electricity generation,
with cooperation in energy production, safety standards, nuclear
fuel supply, and non-proliferation.
- International Partnerships:
India has nuclear cooperation with France, Russia, USA,
and Japan.
- Indo-U.S. Nuclear Deal (2005):
Key agreement allowing India access to global nuclear markets.
- Civil Nuclear Cooperation
Agreement (2008): Gave India access to
international nuclear technology and fuel under IAEA safeguards.
Key Nuclear Projects in India:
- Major Power Plants: Tarapur,
Kudankulam, and Rajasthan play significant roles
in India’s nuclear energy.
- Fast Breeder Reactors:
Developing FBRs to generate more fuel using plutonium.
- Thorium-Based Reactors:
Focus on utilizing thorium, including projects like the Advanced
Heavy Water Reactor (AHWR).
India’s Nuclear Weapons Program:
- Smiling Buddha (1974): India’s first
nuclear test.
- Operation Shakti (1998):
Nuclear tests marking India’s entry into the nuclear weapons club.
- No First Use Policy:
India maintains a No First Use policy for nuclear
weapons.
India-UAE Relations Overview:
- Diplomatic Relations: Established in 1972.
- Multilateral Cooperation:
Platforms include I2U2 (India-Israel-UAE-USA) and UFI
(UAE-France-India).
- Trade:
Bilateral trade valued at US$ 84.84 billion in 2021-22.
UAE is India’s third largest trading partner and second
largest export destination.
- CEPA:
Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement signed in 2022.
- Defence Cooperation:
Guided by the Joint Defence Cooperation Committee (JDCC)
since 2004.
- Space Cooperation:
MoU between ISRO and the UAE Space Agency
for peaceful space exploration signed in 2016.
- Indian Community:
About 3.5 million Indians reside in the UAE, constituting
35% of the UAE population.
Source : https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/india-uae-sign-civil-nuclear-energy-agreement/article68622952.ece