Abu Dhabi: Lok Sabha Speaker, Shri Om Birla, addressed members of the Federal National Council (FNC) of the United Arab Emirates in an extraordinary session of the Council during the 6th plenary session of FNC, in Abu Dhabi, today.
Speaking on the occasion, Shri Birla said that India has always opposed terrorism in all its forms. Regarding the recent terrorist attack in UAE, he said “I strongly and unequivocally condemn the recent terrorist attack in UAE”. Emphasizing on the need for unity among nations in the fight against terrorism, Shri Birla stressed that for global security, stability and sustainable development, it is necessary that all the nations of the world come together to fight the challenges of terrorism and violent extremism. Shri Birla further added that the shared concern of India and UAE with regard to the increasing threats from religious extremism and terrorism to safety of people, is reshaping cooperation between the two countries in the current regional and global scenario.
Underlining that India and UAE have a long history of friendship and partnership, Shri Birla said that the similarity of views between the two countries on bilateral and multilateral issues has deepened this relationship. Also, due to the regular visits of senior leaders and citizens to each other’s countries, the two countries have developed close cultural ties and people-to-people contacts. Shri Birla conveyed his best wishes on the ‘Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav’ organized to commemorate the glorious 75 years of India’s independence and 50 years of the formation of UAE.
Referring to the visit of Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi to the UAE in 2015 and the visit of the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi to India in 2016, Shri Birla said that the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) between the two countries has given a new dimension to bilateral relations and strengthened the base for future economic development. He suggested that both India and UAE should utilize the present opportunities and unite to further strengthen friendship and partnership so that people of both countries can get maximum benefit from it.
Shri Birla welcomed UAE’s decision over the years to widen democracy and ensure women’s participation in parliament. Speaking about the Indian community living in the UAE, Shri Birla said that the Indian community is the largest among the expatriate communities and they have played an important role in the economic development of the country. Expressing satisfaction, Shri Birla noted that the Indian community is playing the role of a bridge connecting the two countries and bringing the two countries closer.
Speaking on the economic ties, Shri Birla said that new efforts are being made at rapid pace for development of the economy in India and due to the efforts being made by the government, India is today the world’s leading investment destination. Emphasizing that UAE companies can take advantage of the new opportunities arising in the fields of digital economy, human resources and smart urbanization in India. He appealed to the investors in the UAE to invest in India, saying that India is ready to share its capabilities in the field of space and IT with the UAE and enhance mutual cooperation through this.
Earlier, H.E. Mr. Saqr Gobash, Speaker of the Federal National Council of UAE welcomed Shri Birla in Federal National Council.
