PM Modi’s UAE, Palestine visit in February to focus on counterterrorism, cyber security

More co-operation in cyber security and counter-terrorism initiatives and facilitating more investment in India’s infrastructure sector will top Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s agenda when he visits the UAE next month, said an official familiar with the plans on condition of anonymity.

Modi is likely to visit the Gulf nation on February 10 and 11. He will also visit Palestine en route to the UAE, home to 2.8 million Indian passport holders. Modi’s visit to Palestine will come shortly after the visit of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to India. Modi was the first Indian PM to visit Israel last year, de-hyphenating its relationship with the two countries.

India and the UAE have put together an ambitious agenda to mark the second visit of Modi to the UAE, with which India has a comprehensive strategic partnership aimed at further strengthening their security and business ties.

Cyber security is one area both countries have identified for stepping up cooperation, said the official. New Delhi would like to collaborate with the UAE in setting up a cyber security centre in India. The UAE has had a cyber security centre since 2014 that acts as a nodal agency for protecting data, telecom networks, and which works with similar bodies around the world, the official pointed out.

“Cyber security has emerged as a key area of our bilateral cooperation with other countries. The UAE has some best practices and a centre in this field and the cooperation could be mutually beneficial,” said another official.

The two sides are also looking at stepping up efforts to disrupt terrorist networks, their financing and movements. In this context, India would like the UAE to help track the properties of people in its wanted list. Facilitating more UAE investment to India remains another focus. The two countries plan to step up the proposed $ 75 billion target for UAE investments in India’s infrastructure development.