Establishing the History of the MoU

- India and the United Arab Emirates have recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for civil nuclear cooperation. 

- The subject of cooperation in the peaceful use of nuclear energy was first discussed during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to the UAE in 2015, touching areas such as safety, health, agriculture, and science and technology. 

- The current MoU aligns with the UAE's policy to expand its investments into the nuclear energy sector. 

- In a parallel development, a long-term LNG supply agreement has been signed between Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) and Indian Oil Corporation Limited. 

 

Understanding India’s Civil Nuclear Cooperation 

- India collaborates at the international level to develop and utilise nuclear technology for peaceful objectives, such as energy production, setting regulatory and safety standards, ensuring nuclear fuel supply, and working on non-proliferation efforts. 

- The country's civil nuclear program is tailored towards using nuclear energy for peaceful applications, majorly electricity generation. 

- India has nuclear cooperation agreements with France, Russia, the U.S.A, and Japan. 

 

Insight into Key Reactors and Projects

- India houses substantial nuclear power plants in places like Tarapur, Kudankulam, and Rajasthan, significantly contributing to the nation's nuclear energy production.

- The nation is advancing in developing Fast Breeder Reactors (FBRs) that utilise plutonium to manufacture more fuel than they consume. 

- With a vision of utilising its rich thorium resources, India is working on thorium-based reactors such as the Advanced Heavy Water Reactor (AHWR).

 

Details About India’s Nuclear Weapon Program

- India's first nuclear test, codenamed "Smiling Buddha," occurred in 1974. Since then, the country has developed a nuclear triad encompassing land-based, sea-based, and air-based delivery systems.

- The country is known for its "no first use" policy, vowing not to use nuclear weapons first in a conflict. 

 

Overview of India-UAE Relations 

- India and the UAE nurtured diplomatic relations since 1972, with the current value of their trade partnership reaching US$ 84.84 billion.

- The countries are part of international platforms, such as I2U2 and UFI Trilateral. UAE was also invited as a guest country to the G-20 Summit.

- The Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) got inked in 2022, cementing their deepening trade relations. 

- A Joint Defence Cooperation Committee (JDCC) handles the defence cooperation between the nations, following their 2003 Agreement on Defence Cooperation.

- Cooperation in space exploration was established when ISRO and the UAE Space Agency signed an MoU in 2016. 

- Indians form the largest ethnic community in the UAE, with an approximate population of 3.5 million.