India, UAE to fight against drug trafficking, human trafficking

New Delhi [India], Jan. 26 (ANI): Acknowledging the importance of the ongoing bilateral security cooperation for ensuring a conducive and peaceful environment for progress and development of the two countries, India and UAE have agreed to further enhance cooperation in the fields of law enforcement, anti-money laundering, smuggling of fake currency, drug trafficking, human trafficking, illegal migration and other transnational organized crimes. In this context, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, described the MOU on cooperation in prevention and combating of human trafficking signed during the latter's visit as an important step forward in developing joint strategies to combat such threats. "Prime Minister Narendra Modi appreciated the support extended by UAE security agencies on specific issues of security concern to India. The two leaders reiterated that the ongoing close cooperation on a range of security issues, particularly on counter-terrorism, maritime security and cyber-security remained a key pillar of the bilateral strategic partnership," the joint statement read. Expressing serious concerns at the misuse of cyber space as a medium to promote subversive and extremist ideologies, the two leaders in a joint statement acknowledged the importance of the MoU on Technical Cooperation in Cyber Space and Combating Cyber Crime signed during the February 2016 visit of Crown Prince Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed as the cornerstone of the expanding bilateral cooperation in this area. "Both sides expressed happiness on the signing of an MOU on technical development and cooperation in cyber space during the visit. To further deepen cooperation in this area, they agreed to the setting up of joint Research and Development Centres of Excellence," the statement added. Acknowledging that the agreement on Defence Cooperation renewed in 2014 provided the general framework to strengthen bilateral defence ties, the two leaders agreed to provide further impetus to these relations, including through joint exercises, training of naval, air and land forces, as also in the area of coastal defence and through participation in defence exhibitions etc. They expressed satisfaction at the successful holding of joint military exercises in May-June 2016. The two sides also welcomed the signing of the MOU on the Mutual Protection of Classified Information during the May 2016 visit of Indian Defence Minister to UAE in fulfillment of their commitment articulated in the February 2016 joint statement. The UAE side acknowledged the opportunities offered under the 'Make in India' initiative for joint production of defence equipment in India and also for the procurement of defence material. In this regard, the two sides described the signing of an MOU on Cooperation in the field of Defence Industry during this visit as an important step forward. Expressing satisfaction at the progress achieved in the eighth round of Joint Defence Cooperation Committee talks held in Abu Dhabi in December 2016, the two sides agreed to hold the next meeting of the Joint Defence Cooperation Committee in 2017. "The two sides expressed common resolve to bolster cooperation and exchanges on countering piracy in their shared maritime domain in the Gulf and the Indian Ocean regions and to exchange experiences in maritime security, including joint anti-piracy training and exercises. They agreed to establish technical arrangement for white shipping information exchange and to explore cooperation in the field of hydrography," the statement said. UAE expressed interest in the coastal surveillance systems developed by India. Prime Minister Modi thanked the UAE Armed Forces for their participation in the Republic Day parade and expressed admiration for the tireless efforts of the UAE Armed Forces in promoting regional security, peace and stability. (ANI)