New Delhi, Feb 18 : The key strategic agreements signed between India and the UAE on Friday in the presence of the top leaders of both countries marks a “milestone” in the bilateral relations, which will lead to a “glorious, shared future,” External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said. “The signing of the UAE-India Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement during a virtual summit between our leaders is a milestone event in our bilateral relations,” Jaishankar told to WAM news agency. “It will open new opportunities in both trade in goods and services, and will lead to enhanced investments,” he added. “A vision document [signed during the virtual summit] will provide contours for future growth of our bilateral relationship for a glorious, shared future. Overall, the two [CEPA and the vision document] will deepen our strategic partnership.” Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, who is also Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, and Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a virtual meeting on Friday, during which they witnessed the signing of the agreements in New Delhi. The two countries are anticipating that these agreements would boost the bilateral non-oil trade from US$40 billion, which is a pre-pandemic figure, to US$100 billion in the next five years. The UAE-India CEPA negotiations started five months ago. The UAE-India CEPA is expected to usher in a new era of economic cooperation and unlock greater avenues for trade and investment. In an interview with WAM in October, Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal had said CEPA would help both countries serve larger international markets. “It [CEPA] will not only help the post-pandemic recovery and bring back growth into both countries, but also serve the people of both countries, provide jobs in both countries, expand economic activities and help us serve the larger international markets in a bigger way,” Goyal said. The UAE is India’s third largest trading partner and accounts for approximately 40 percent of its trade with the Arab world. Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed visited India in 2016 and 2017, while the Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, visited the UAE in 2015, 2018 and 2019. The two countries signed a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in 2017. (UNI)