Abu Dhabi: A high-level Indian delegation, led by External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee, discussed ways to boost the security and military ties and cooperation in addressing the worldwide increase in food prices with the UAE.

Mukherjee met the UAE Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan late last evening and discussed the ways to boost the military and security ties, apart from latest developments in regional and international arena.

Progress of the UAE-India joint committee and Iran s continuation in perpetuating its occupation of the three UAE islands Greater Tunb, Lesser Tunb and Abu Musa was also reviewed, official Emirates news agency said. The two ministers also discussed about the situation in Lebanon, the Middle-East peace process, developments in Iraq and on Iranian's nuclear programme issue with the IAEA.

The meeting was attended by Director of the UAE's Foreign Minister's Office Rashid Hareb Al Falahi and Indian Ambassador to the UAE Talmiz Ahmed.

Mukherjee, who arrived here yesterday from South Africa, is on a three-day official visit to the Gulf nation. This is the first visit by an Indian foreign minister to the UAE in several years.

He, while addressing a gathering at Emirates Centre for Strategic Studies and Research - on Indian's Foreign Policy and India-Gulf relations Meeting and Challenges of the 21st century - said, "I am delighted to see that Dubai is now positioning itself to emerge as a global service provider, while Abu Dhabi is already a major source of investment in the global scene."

The minister will meet Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed al Nahyan this morning.
Source : PTI