India, UAE discuss security, transfer of prisoners

The UAE and India are likely to sign agreements on security cooperation and transfer of prisoners to boost their bilateral ties, officials have said. 

According to consulate sources, both sides have almost finalised the two agreements — one about security co-operation between the two nations, and the other for the transfer of prisoners, under which Indian convicts in the UAE would be able to serve their sentences in their home country.

Discussions to this effect were held at the India-UAE Foreign Office Consultations (FOC) yesterday in the UAE capital of Abu Dhabi where the status proposed agreements was also reviewed.

The Indian delegation was headed by Vijayalatha Reddy, secretary (East) in the ministry of external affairs while Dr Anwar Mohammad Gargash, UAE minister of state for foreign affairs, led the UAE delegation during the talks.

The proposed security co-operation agreement has been designed to ensure the exchange of information on security matters.

The agreement on those who have been sentenced would allow the transfer of prisoners between the two countries. 

Indian ambassador to UAE MK Lokesh said there were about 1,300 Indians in UAE jails. A few were convicted and the others were on trial or in detention, Gulf News reported.

The Indian ambassador said negotiations were continuing on a proposed agreement on mutual assistance in customs matters. A delegation from UAE Customs was currently visiting India as part of the negotiations, he said.

The agreements would be signed at the ministerial level, the ambassador said.