By WAM

The UAE has extended its support to India’s bid for a permanent membership in an expanded UN Security Council.

According to a senior Indian official, the UAE’s stand emerged during talks held between President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan and visiting Indian President Pratibha Patil in Abu Dhabi on Monday.

Sheikh Khalifa highlighted India’s role in achieving peace in the Indian Ocean and East Asia zones, Latha Reddy, Secretary (East) in India’s Ministry of External Affairs said.

India that returned to the UNSC with a non-permanent seat after 19 years recently, bids for a permanent seat in the body.

In the polls held in October, India won 98 per cent of votes by UN members to return to the non-permanent seat of two years.

Earlier on Monday, Sheikh Khalifa and Patil held talks at Mushrif Palace in Abu Dhabi.

President hold talks with visiting Indian counterpart

Sheikh Khalifa welcomed the Indian President and her entourage in her first state visit to the UAE, adding that the visit reflects the depth of cooperation, friendship and historic links between the UAE and India.

"The visit will open more avenues for cooperation between the two countries in the best interest of the two peoples".

The UAE President stressed the role of India in achieving peace and security in the Indian Ocean and East Asia zone, highlighting India's contribution to realisation of the security at international arena.

Sheikh Khalifa hailed the essential contribution of the Indian community to the UAE development projects.

The talks tackled the cooperation ties between the UAE and India in the areas of politics, economy, culture and science, in addition to exchanging of views on a number of current regional and international issues of mutual interest.

The two sides underscored the significance of regional and international cooperation regarding resolution of international issues and boosting of peace, security and stability worldwide.

They also expressed satisfaction about continuous progress of the bilateral relations between the two countries.

On her part, President Patil expressed her pleasure about visiting the UAE and meeting the UAE President, hailing the historic relations linking the UAE with India. She cited the level of care dispensed by the UAE to Indian workforce. "We do appreciate the UAE under leadership of Sheikh Khalifa for hospitality felt by the Indian workforce in the country".

The President of India commended the stances of the UAE in bolstering international security and peace, and its role in providing humanitarian aid to developing countries.

At the conclusion of talks both sides reiterated the importance of sustaining current cooperation between the UAE and India. They emphasised the visit would further enhance mutual interests.

Sheikh Khalifa hosted banquet in honour of President Patil and her entourage.



On arrival, the Indian President was accorded an official welcome. Sheikh Khalifa and the Indian President headed to the Guard of Honour, where the national anthem of the Republic of India was performed. The canon fired 21 shots in salute of the guest.



The President of India then headed to the Union Hall where she met with sheikhs and senior officials including Sheikh Sultan bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Representative of UAE President; Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Ruler's Representative in the Western Region; Sheikh Hazza bin Zayed Al Nahyan, National Security Advisor; Sheikh Saeed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Representative of Ruler of Abu Dhabi; Lt. General Sheikh Saif bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior; Sheikh Nahyan bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Board of Trustees Chairman of the Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan Charitable and Humanitarian Foundation; Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs; Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Foreign Minister, other sheikhs, ministers and senior officials.

Sheikh Khalifa greeted members of the high profile delegation accompanying the President of India including MK Lokesh, Indian Ambassador to UAE, and a number of senior Indian officials.

President Patil is accompanied by a mission of honour headed by UAE Minister of Foreign Trade Sheikha Lubna Al Qasimi.

Khalifa calls for broader coordination among GCC parliaments



Sheikh Khalifa emphasised on Monday the importance of activating the role of GCC parliaments, calling for broader joint coordination to push the GCC drive forward.

The President said parliaments have a vital role to play in realising development and welfare for peoples of the GCC member states.

Sheikh Khalifa made his remarks while receiving at Al Mushrif Palace speakers of GCC Shura and Deputies Councils and National Assemblies, who are gathering in Abu Dhabi for their fourth regular meeting.

Sheikh Khalifa wished them success in their meeting, hoping they would produce positive results conducive to meeting aspirations and achieving welfare of the GCC peoples.

The President hoped the meeting would come out with recommendations that boost the GCC march. He also hoped such recommendations would be submitted to the upcoming GCC summit in Abu Dhabi next month.

The meeting was attended by Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Ruler's Representative in the Western Region, Abdul Aziz Al Ghurair, Speaker of the UAE Federal National Council and a number of sheikhs, ministers, senior officials and top FNC officials.

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