Vibrant Gujarat 2024: India, UAE Sign Agreement For Possible Energy Grid Connectivity, Says Foreign Secretary

As part of the four MoUs signed in the Gujarat summit, the official said, that one of the deals focuses on renewable energy, including green hydrogen and solar energy

India and the United Arab Emirates signed a deal to explore the establishment of grid connectivity between the two nations, Foreign Secretary Vinay Kwatra said on Wednesday. The deals were signed between the countries at the ongoing Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit 2024, the official informed. 

As part of the four memorandums of understandings (MoUs) signed in the Gujarat summit, Kwatra stated, that one of the deals focuses on renewable energy, including green hydrogen and solar energy, reported PTI. UAE President Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan participated in the summit and addressed it. However, the official had to make an emergency exit.

“There is an inherent thought of possible grid connectivity between India and the UAE in that space,” the official said while speaking to the reporters. He didn’t disclose any details about the grid connectivity. 

Earlier in September 2023, a news report cited the Minister of New and Renewable Energy, R K Singh, who said that the UAE is interested in establishing such connectivity with India. The comments followed India's signing of a similar agreement with Saudi Arabia in September 2023. 

Commenting on the deal, Kwatra noted, “Such connectivity will help India send power to as far as Europe. Other pacts signed are in sectors such as logistics, healthcare innovations, and one which involves developing food parks.”

The Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Gandhinagar on Wednesday. The 10th edition of the summit saw several global leaders like the Czech Republic Prime Minister Petr Fiala and Mozambique President Filipe Nyusi, among others in attendance. 

Other dignitaries included icons from the business community such as Mukesh Ambani, Gautam Adani, Lakshmi Mittal, and Sanjay Mehrotra. The theme of this year’s summit is 'Gateway to the Future' and it is also being used as a platform by the Ministry of Development of the North-Eastern region to display investment opportunities in the North-Eastern regions.