NEW DELHI: Sheikh Abdullah Bin Zayed Al-Nahyan, the UAE’s minister of foreign affairs, held talks yesterday with Farooq Abdullah, India’s minister for new and renewable energy, on collaboration in the renewable energy sector.
Al-Nahyan arrived here on Thursday evening on a brief official visit. He also called on Vice President Hamid Ansari and held talks with External Affairs Minister S.M. Krishna before leaving for Colombo yesterday.
During his meeting with Abdullah, the UAE minister expressed confidence that working together in the renewable energy sector would further strengthen Indo-UAE bilateral ties.
“Since ages, India has had good relations with UAE. The UAE minister has arrived to further strengthen these relations. He wants India to cooperate with the UAE in the renewable energy sector. He wants the headquarters for renewable cooperation to be established in Abu Dhabi. I am hopeful that India will consider this request,” said Abdullah.
India is known for its expertise in the renewable energy sector. The UAE minister’s visit and talks with Abdullah are viewed as significant because the UAE is competing with three European countries to host the headquarters of the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA).