UAE hails India-EU FTA as boost to global trade cooperation
Dubai (PTI): The United Arab Emirates has welcomed the free trade agreement reached between India and the EU, describing it as a significant step towards promoting "economic openness" and supporting "sustainable growth".
India and the European Union on Tuesday sealed a landmark free trade agreement -- billed as the "mother of all deals" -- to create a market of two billion people with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the top EU leadership unveiling a five-year agenda to largely leverage trade and defence in protecting the rules-based world order.
In a recent statement issued by the UAE's foreign ministry, Minister of State Saeed Al Hajeri said the pact "reflects the commitment of both sides to promoting free trade and economic openness and embodies as a model of economic partnerships that support sustainable growth and shared prosperity".
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The UAE also highlighted its own Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) with India as an example of an advanced model of strategic trade partnership based on mutual interests, enhanced economic integration and support for sustainable development.
Such comprehensive agreements, the minister said, help deliver tangible benefits for all parties.
The statement further expressed hope that the UAE's ongoing negotiations with the EU would be concluded positively, leading to the signing of a similar agreement between the two sides.
Reaffirming its commitment to international trade, the UAE said it would continue to support the expansion of strategic economic partnerships and stronger economic cooperation, driven by its belief in the vital role of free trade in promoting stability and prosperity at both bilateral and global levels.
As part of the free trade agreement (FTA), India and the EU also inked two crucial pacts -- one on security and defence collaboration and another on mobility of Indian talents to Europe.
Indian sectors such as textiles, apparel, leather goods, handicrafts, footwear and marine products are set to gain from the FTA, while Europe is set to benefit in areas of wine, automobiles, chemicals and pharmaceuticals, among others.
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What is Iran’s 10-point plan? Key demands ahead of US talks in Islamabad
Tehran/Islamabad: Iran has outlined a 10-point plan as the basis for upcoming talks with the United States, expected to begin in Islamabad on April 11, according to a statement from the Iranian Supreme National Security Council.
The plan lays out Tehran’s key political, military and economic demands, and is being seen as a framework for negotiations following the recent escalation in the region.
Strait of Hormuz at the centre
A major focus of the plan is the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global shipping route. Iran has proposed “controlled passage through the Strait of Hormuz in coordination with the Iranian armed forces,” which it says would give the country a unique economic and geopolitical position.
The plan also calls for the “establishment of a safe transit protocol” in the Strait that would guarantee Iran’s dominance under an agreed mechanism.
Call to end conflict
Iran has demanded “the necessity of ending the war against all elements of the axis of resistance,” signalling its expectation that hostilities should stop not only in Iran but also involving allied groups in the region.
US troop withdrawal
Another key demand is the “withdrawal of US combat forces from all bases and deployment points in the region,” indicating Tehran’s long-standing position against American military presence in West Asia.
Sanctions relief and compensation
The plan places strong emphasis on economic measures. It calls for “full payment of Iran’s damages according to estimates,” along with “the lifting of all primary and secondary sanctions and resolutions of the Board of Governors and the Security Council.”
It also seeks “the release of all Iranian assets and properties frozen abroad,” which have been a major point of contention for years.
Binding global guarantee
Finally, Iran has demanded that all these terms be formally recognised through “a binding Security Council resolution,” suggesting it wants international legal backing to ensure enforcement.
What this means
The 10-point plan reflects Iran’s broader push for security guarantees, economic relief and regional influence. The upcoming talks in Islamabad are expected to test how far both sides are willing to negotiate on these demands.
