Dubai (PTI): An inter-ministerial Indian delegation on the framework agreement on the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEEC) has visited the UAE for the first time to hold discussions with the key entities there on cooperation for the empowerment and operation of the strategically vital project.

The visit, which took place within three months of signing the Agreement, reflects the importance both governments attach to the IMEEC project, a press statement by the Embassy of India, Abu Dhabi said.

The Corridor will provide effective alternate supply routes generating efficiencies and reducing costs. Both sides agreed to continue discussions for early implementation of the Agreement, it said.

"India Middle East Europe Corridor (IMEEC) takes shape with the 1st visit of an Indian Inter-Ministerial Delegation to the UAE for the India-UAE Intergovernmental Framework Agreement on IMEEC. Amb @sunjaysudhir led the discussions with key UAE entities like @DPWorldUAE, @ADPortsGroup @CUSTOMSUAE," the Indian mission posted on X.

The IMEEC will comprise two separate corridors, the east corridor connecting India to the Gulf and the northern corridor connecting the Gulf to Europe.

The corridor will provide a reliable and cost-effective cross-border ship-to-rail transit network to supplement existing maritime routes. It intends to increase efficiency, reduce costs, secure regional supply chains, increase trade accessibility, enhance economic cooperation, generate jobs and lower greenhouse gas emissions, resulting in a transformative integration of Asia, Europe and the Middle East (West Asia).

The IMEC corridor, which aims at integration of Asia, Europe and the Middle East involves multiple stakeholders and is at an incipient stage, the Ministry of External Affairs said in February this year.

The visit by the Indian delegation to hold meetings under the Framework Agreement between India and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) concerning cooperation for the empowerment and operation of the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEEC) to the UAE took place from May 15 to 17, the statement said.

The Framework Agreement was signed between India and the UAE on February 13 in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President of the UAE Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan in Abu Dhabi.

The Agreement provides for cooperation towards developing the IMEEC and exploring potential joint investment and technical collaboration towards this objective.

The Indian delegation comprised senior officials from the Ministry of Shipping, Ports & Waterways, Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Central Board of Excise and Customs and Deendayal Upadhyay Port, Kandla. They visited Khalifa Port, Fujairah Port and Jebel Ali Port where they held detailed discussions with the respective Port authorities for facilitating the movement of goods between India and the UAE and beyond.

They also held meetings with UAE Customs Authorities.

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A Kannada-medium student emerging as the university topper in English studies stood out at the 13th annual convocation of Davangere University held on Friday at its Shivagangotri campus in Tholahunase.

Vijayashri BM, a resident of Basavanalu village in Davangere taluk, secured the first rank in MA English, despite having completed her schooling and undergraduate education entirely in Kannada medium. Speaking after the convocation, she said shifting to English at the postgraduate level was challenging in the beginning, but sustained effort, discipline and regular practice helped her overcome the difficulty.

Vijayashri said she chose English believing that the language opens up wider career opportunities. She credited her father, Basavaraju, a retired Mathematics teacher, for motivating her to pursue higher studies. Currently working at a private school in Davangere, she said she hopes to continue her career in teaching.

The convocation also saw Physics student Puttaraja emerging as a top achiever. He secured the first rank in Physics and received three gold medals. According to a Deccan Herald report, Puttaraja said his academic decisions were influenced by his family’s financial situation. His father, Rudresh Veerappa Mattikatti, works as a hamali in Davangere and earns about ₹10,000 a month.

Puttaraja said scholarships offered by the Department of Science and Technology for science toppers made it possible for him to continue higher studies. He said first-rank holders receive a monthly scholarship of ₹32,000 for the first two years, which later increases to ₹37,000, easing the financial burden on their families.

He completed his undergraduate studies in Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics at a government first-grade college in Davangere and is now preparing to pursue a PhD in semiconductor nanocrystals under Professor M N Kalasad. He has appeared for the National Eligibility Test and is awaiting results, besides preparing for the Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering scheduled for February 7. He said he aspires to work with organisations such as the Defence Research and Development Organisation or the Indian Space Research Organisation.

Puttaraja also noted that dedication and personal conduct matter more than economic background in earning the support of teachers and mentors.