Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister, and Minister of Defence, will embark on an official visit to India this Tuesday. This visit underscores the significance of the UAE India economic partnership, which has been pivotal in driving bilateral relations.
During his visit, Sheikh Hamdan is scheduled to meet with senior officials in New Delhi for crucial discussions aimed at enhancing partnerships between the nations, as reported by the Dubai Media Office on Monday. These talks are essential for reinforcing the UAE India economic partnership, which continues to flourish.
His Highness will be accompanied by a distinguished high-level delegation that features His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, president of the Dubai Civil Aviation Authority, chairman of Dubai Airports, and chairman and chief executive of Emirates Airline and Group; His Excellency Mohammad bin Abdullah Al Gergawi, UAE minister of Cabinet Affairs; Her Excellency Reem bint Ebrahim Al Hashimy, UAE minister of State for International Cooperation; His Excellency Dr. Ahmad Belhoul Al Falasi, UAE minister of Sports; His Excellency Abdulla bin Touq Al Marri, UAE minister of Economy; His Excellency Dr. Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, UAE minister of State for Foreign Trade; and His Excellency Omar bin Sultan Al Olama, UAE minister of State for Artificial Intelligence, Digital Economy, and Remote Work Applications. Additionally, the delegation comprises several senior officials and leaders who represent various economic sectors.
A deep-rooted friendship
The UAE and India share a profound friendship that dates back to the establishment of the Emirates, a bond that has significantly strengthened over the years. Moreover, the UAE signed its first Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement with India in 2022, propelling bilateral trade between the two countries beyond $85 billion. This milestone has positioned India as the largest trading partner of the UAE, while the UAE has become India’s third largest.
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Recent high-level visits
Last September, Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, made an official visit to India, where he engaged in discussions with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Additionally, President Sheikh Mohamed visited India in January of last year to attend a three-day global business summit, during which he also conducted high-level talks with Mr. Modi. These visits signify the importance of the UAE India economic partnership in the regional context.
Establishing a trans-continental trade corridor
The UAE and India have also signed a pact to create a trans-continental trade corridor. This corridor aims to connect Europe with India, utilizing sea and rail routes that traverse parts of the Middle East. The ambitious initiative has garnered support from the United States and the European Union, notably during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to the UAE in February 2024.
The trade corridor, which was initially announced in September at the G20 summit in New Delhi, is designed to extend from India across the Arabian Sea to the UAE. From this point, it will pass through Saudi Arabia before connecting with Jordan and Israel, ultimately reaching Europe. This strategic development further emphasizes the growing significance of the UAE India economic partnership on a global scale.
