India and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to collaborate on the operation and maintenance of nuclear power plants in the UAE.
The agreement, inked during Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan's visit to India, aims to strengthen ties between the two nations in the field of nuclear energy.
The MoU was signed by Bhuwan Chandra Pathak, Chairman and Managing Director of the Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited (NPCIL), and Mohamed Al Hammadi, Managing Director and CEO of the Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation (ENEC). It outlines a framework for cooperation between NPCIL and ENEC in areas such as supply chain development, sharing expertise, providing operational and maintenance services, nuclear consulting, training, and research and development.
The NPCIL, a public sector enterprise under India’s Department of Atomic Energy, manages all civil nuclear power plants in the country. The ENEC is wholly owned by the UAE government through the Abu Dhabi Development Holding Company.
This MoU represents a significant step in the growing partnership between India and the UAE, particularly in the peaceful application of nuclear energy.