Kamal Ghorui
EAM S Jaishankar arrived in the United Arab Emirates on Saturday, where he is set to hold high-level meetings with the country’s leadership as part of his official visit. The minister will be in the UAE from April 11 to 12, where he will review close cooperation and work to further strengthen the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between the two countries.The visit marks the second leg of his ongoing tour, following his engagements in Mauritius. EAM Jaishankar was previously in Mauritius to attend the 9th Indian Ocean Conference, where he also held discussions centred on bilateral ties. He is scheduled to deliver the keynote address at the conference and engage with counterparts from other participating nations on its sidelines.Jaishankar also highlighted India’s role in supporting the island nation’s energy needs, stating that discussions are underway to finalise an agreement for the supply of oil and gas. He noted that the ongoing crisis in the Middle East has reinforced the need for dependable strategic partnerships, particularly in the energy domain.He also pointed to expanding cooperation in clean energy, mentioning that an Indian public sector enterprise is involved in developing Mauritius’ first floating solar power project. According to him, the partnership between the two countries continues to grow in the field of environment-friendly solutions.Jaishankar also handed over the final batch of e-buses to Mauritius, a step aimed at strengthening sustainable public transport while reducing carbon emissions.The ongoing visit, which includes engagements in both Mauritius and the UAE, reflects India’s Neighbourhood First policy, its Vision MAHASAGAR, and its broader commitment to the Global South.The timing of the visit is particularly important as the Middle East is currently grappling with a geopolitical crisis that began back on February 28, when US and Israel launched joint strikes on Iran.
