General MM Naravane, to visit Saudi Arabia and UAE from today
Dated : 08 Dec 2020 (IST)
General Manoj Mukund Naravane, Chief of Army Staff, Indian Army, will leave for Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates for a four-day visit. General Naravane will first visit Riyadh for two days and then head to the UAE. Importantly, this is a first such visit by an Indian Army chief to the two Asian Arab countries.
During his trip to Saudi Arabia, the Indian Army chief will address the Saudi National Defence College. General Naravane is scheduled to hold talks with top military brass in both the countries.
During the last two months, the Army Chief has travelled to Nepal and Myanmar in order to strengthen India’s relations with the two neighbouring countries.
Saudi Arabia is an important trade partner of India and a key pillar of New Delhi’s energy security. Riyadh is the source of 17 per cent or more of crude oil and 32 per cent of LPG requirements of India. Saudi Arabia, which is the world’s biggest oil exporter, is aiming heavily investing in India in areas of petrochemicals, infrastructure and mining.
In November 2020, India and UAE agreed to explore ways to facilitate investments to strengthen economic ties between the two nations.
Notably, the eighth meeting of the India-UAE High-Level Joint Task Force on Investments (“the Joint Task Force”) was hosted by India in November in virtual format due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. The Joint Task Force was created in 2012 as a crucial forum for further deepening the already strong economic ties between the UAE and India.
The two sides discussed issues related to the development and operation of UAE-based funds to invest in India. Other key points of discussion at the meeting focused on opportunities for cooperation and potential investments in key sectors in India including the healthcare and pharmaceutical industry, mobility and logistics, food and agriculture, energy and utilities and others.
