Seeking to boost the growing bilateral strategic ties, India and the UAE will set up a joint parliamentary panel to enhance relations and facilitate their visits to promote cooperation to tackle security issues and challenges facing the region. A decision was taken in this regard during a meeting between first woman speaker of UAEs Federal National Council (FNC) Amal Abdullah Al-Qubaisi and the Indian ambassador TP Seetharam.

During the meeting, Al-Qubaisi stressed the importance of activating parliamentary relations between FNC and Indian parliament by establishing a friendly Emirati-Indian parliamentary committee, and by prompting parliamentary visits between the two sides.

The two sides stressed the importance of consultation and coordination between FNC and Indian parliament delegations during their participation in the Inter-Parliamentary Union in order to unify positions and views on various issues of interest to both countries and peoples.

They also agreed to prepare a draft MoU for the establishment of the parliamentary committee, and highlighted existing areas of cooperation in various political, economic, cultural and investment sectors.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited the UAE in August last year, during which the two countries elevated their ties to a comprehensive strategic partnership. India and the UAE agreed to boost bilateral cooperation in counter-terrorism operations, intelligence-sharing and capacity building during Modis visit.