Min Jitendra Singh To Lead Indian Delegation At 'Abu Dhabi Space Debate' Today

Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) Science & Technology Jitendra Singh will lead the official Indian delegation to United Arab Emirates (UAE) at the “Abu Dhabi Space Debate”, a two-day international meet beginning today.

The Minister will address the Opening Ceremony on India's behalf along with the Israeli President Isaac Herzog.

He will also attend the Ministerial Plenary on the ‘Role of Foreign Policy in Enabling Space Diplomacy and International Cooperation’ along with the MoS Foreign Affairs of the UAE, Foreign Minister of Bahrain and Minister of Advanced Technologies of Israel.

The Minister is also scheduled to hold delegation level talks with Sarah Al Amiri, UAE Minister of State for Advanced Technology and Chairperson of UAE Space Agency to discuss ways and means for further strengthening bilateral space cooperation.

In a statement issued before departure to Abu Dhabi, Singh said, India and UAE joint space cooperation is on the verge of taking a big leap in the Arabian Peninsula, as the two sides have prioritised increased bilateral space cooperation. He said, Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and UAE Space Agency (UAESA) signed an MoU regarding cooperation in the exploration and use of outer space for peaceful purposes in 2016. The Minister also informed that UAE’s first nanosatellite - ‘Nayif-1’ meant for collecting environmental space data was launched by PSLV from Siriharikota.

At the Abu Dhabi Space Debate, Singh is also likely to pitch for joint startup ventures between India and United Arab Emirates in advanced and emerging space technologies during the delegation level talks with Sarah Al Amiri, UAE Minister of State for Advanced Technology and Chairperson of UAE Space Agency.