Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, and Droupadi Murmu, President of India, recently engaged in discussions highlighting the strong friendship and collaborative ties between the UAE and India.
This exchange occurred during a reception hosted by President Murmu at Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi, where she warmly welcomed Sheikh Khaled and his accompanying delegation. She expressed her gratitude for the longstanding and robust relationship shared by the two nations, the Abu Dhabi Media Office reported.
In his remarks, Sheikh Khaled conveyed the heartfelt greetings of Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, wishing President Murmu continued health and happiness, as well as prosperity for India. In return, President Murmu requested that Sheikh Khaled extend her greetings to the UAE President, along with her hopes for the UAE’s ongoing progress and development.
Commitment to economic partnership
During their meeting, Sheikh Khaled emphasized the commitment of both UAE and Indian leaders to strengthen their successful economic partnership and leverage their respective strengths to foster mutual prosperity. He noted that this gathering exemplifies the leadership’s vision in both countries to enhance collaboration across various sectors, including trade and investment, while seeking new avenues for sustainable growth.
Official visit to India
The official visit of Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan to India marks a significant milestone in the India-UAE bilateral relationship. Held on September 9-10, 2024, at the invitation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the visit underscored the deepening ties between the two nations. During his stay, the Crown Prince engaged in bilateral discussions with PM Modi, met with President Droupadi Murmu, and participated in a business forum in Mumbai. These interactions aimed to further strengthen the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between India and the UAE, which has seen remarkable growth in areas such as politics, trade, investment, connectivity, energy, technology, education, and culture. The visit highlighted the commitment of both nations to explore new and emerging areas of cooperation, ensuring mutual prosperity and development.
Cultural and diplomatic exchange
The visit of Sheikh Khaled was also marked by significant cultural and diplomatic exchanges. In a gesture of respect and homage, the Crown Prince visited Rajghat to pay his respects to Mahatma Gandhi, laying a wreath and planting a sapling, following the tradition set by his father, UAE President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan. This act of reverence underscores the strong cultural and historical ties between India and the UAE. Additionally, the visit facilitated the exchange of several agreements and Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) in critical areas such as nuclear cooperation, LNG supply, and the development of food parks. These agreements reflect the shared vision of both nations to enhance their collaborative efforts across various sectors.
Signing the guestbook
At the conclusion of the meeting, Sheikh Khaled signed the guestbook at Rashtrapati Bhavan, leaving a meaningful message that highlighted the profound historical ties of friendship between the UAE and India. This discussion was part of a broader and comprehensive agenda during Sheikh Khaled’s official visit to India.
Read more: Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Sheikh Khaled meets Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi
Dignitaries in attendance
The meeting was attended by several dignitaries, including Reem bint Ebrahim Al Hashimy, UAE minister of State for International Cooperation; Dr. Sultan bin Ahmed Al Jaber, UAE minister of Industry and Advanced Technology; Dr. Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, UAE minister of State for Foreign Trade; Mohamed Hassan Al Suwaidi, UAE minister of Investment; Khaldoon Khalifa Al Mubarak, chairman of the UAE Executive Affairs Authority; Ahmed Jasim Al Zaabi, chairman of the Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development; and Saif Saeed Ghobash, secretary-general of the Abu Dhabi Executive Council.
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