The new Memorandum of Cooperation (MOC) has replaced the existing MOC signed in December 2008. The new MOC provides for replacing the High Level Joint Committee of the existing MOC with new formats for future meetings, namely ministerial and senior officials meeting, involving all the member states and the Arab League Secretariat. It also provides for setting up of an Executive Programme which will be renewed every two years.

The Executive Program of the Arab-Indian Cooperation Forum between the League of Arab States and the Republic of India for 2014-2015 is much more specific in terms of the cooperation envisaged in diverse areas like trade and investment, energy, small and medium enterprises, culture, capacity building and attempts to specify the modality for each major activity. As per the EP, the League of Arab States Mission in New Delhi and the Indian Embassy in Cairo have been designated as the nodal points for coordination.

These two MoUs were signed between the two countries here on Tuesday in the presence of the Indian Minister of External Affairs Salman Khurshid and the visiting Secretary General of the League of Arab States Dr Nabil Elaraby.

These documents are aimed at imparting fresh momentum to the institutional links by providing for a structured engagement between India and the 22-member Arab States at the senior official and ministerial levels. It also envisages cooperation in diverse areas like trade & investment, energy, small and medium enterprises, culture, capacity building.

Dr Elaraby is on an official visit to India at the invitation of Indian External Affairs Minister Salman Khurshid from December 16-18.

During the visit, Dr Elaraby met with the Indian Vice President M Hamid Ansari and Khurshid and exchanged views on a wide gamut of bilateral, regional and international issues of mutual interest including Syria and the Middle East Peace Process.

India and the Arab world share deep historical, cultural and civilizational links. The shared belief in anti-colonialism and south-south cooperation together with the staunch commitment to achieve, preserve and enhance international peace and security through dialogue and consultation forms the basic framework of the cooperation.