New Delhi | October 30, 2018

Based on the High Level task Force meeting that took place on 15 October 2018 in Mumbai, Co-chaired by H.H. Sheikh Hamed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Chairmen of the Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Court, and H.E. Suresh Prabu, Minister of Commerce and Industry and Civil Aviation, Government of India and Senior Officials from both countries. It was mutually agreed to create a Fast Track Committee, for which the first meeting between Ambassador and Secretary DIPP happened on 23 October 2018, Inducted to expedite the resolution mechanism for the legacy issues faced by some of the major UAE investors in India and various other matters that needs attention as a single window platform for all future investments in UAE.

During the follow up meeting with Minister Suresh Prabhu, Ambassador briefed him about the various discussions held in the first Fast Track Committee meeting on 23 October, outlining the three major subjects that needs utmost attention and quick action.

1. Air Service agreement
2. India-UAE bilateral investment promotion and protection agreement
3. India-UAE double Tax avoidance Agreement (DTAA)

Ambassador discussed in length the issues related to Air service agreement, UAE request in relation to additional airline capacity entitlements and points of call in India

In this context and various other matters, it was agreed that Indian and UAE officials would meet at a senior level at an early date in December to discuss various issues of interest to both sides and carry forward the discussions in a positive, constructive and result oriented manner. 

Ambassador personally handed letter to the minister stating that the government the UAE has nominated captain Aysha Al Hameli as candidature for the post of chairman of the council of the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) for the term 2020-2022. In the elections which will be held in November, 2019 in Montreal, to which Minister assured support from government of India.

The meetings were held in a friendly and cordial atmosphere, with appreciation for each other's points of view. Discussions centred around bilateral trade and commercial relations between the two countries and focused on finding the way forward to address concerns of both sides.