India eyes defence equipment deals with UAE

India is not just interested in enhancing trade with the UAE, but is also looking at selling defence equipment during the visit of His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, to the country.

The Brahmos missile, which was jointly developed between India and Russia, could be offered to the UAE later, Indian External Affairs Ministry officials said.

"There have been talks on the Brahmos missiles, but India will immediately offer only the equipment for which it holds IPR rights," confirmed ministry secretary Amar Sinha.

Joint production of aircraft, arms and armoured vehicles is what the Indian side has in mind. New Delhi is opening up its arms industry to private players under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Make in India initiative.

India and the UAE will sign agreements on defence and maritime transport. India is keen to drive its cruise tourism sector and hopes to increase flow to the UAE from its West coast.

On the $75 billion fund the UAE had agreed for developing India's infrastructure, Indian officials are confident that bottlenecks have been removed, and it is 'likely" that the UAE will commit to investing in the fund during Sheikh Mohamed's visit under the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority.

Earlier, there were reservations on the delay in the creation of the National Investment and Infrastructure Fund. It was announced in the Indian budget in 2015, but became active only in June with the appointment of Sujoy Bose as the first Chief Executive Officer.

The UAE had also raised concerns about the safety of its investments in the country. On its part, the Indian government is doing its best to assuage those concerns, Indian foreign ministry officials said.

Meanwhile, Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed was received at Delhi airport on Tuesday by the Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He will hold delegation-level talks with the Indian PM. He will later call on President Pranab Mukherjee and Vice-President Hamid Ansari on Wednesday. On Thursday, he will be the chief guest at India's Republic Day celebrations.

Source :- Khaleej Times