New Delhi, Apr 8 UNI) Prime Minister Narendra Modi today held talks with the Crown Prince of Dubai Sheikh Hamdan, and said his visit paves the way for even stronger collaboration between India and the UAE in the future.
In a post on X, the PM said that Dubai has played a key role in advancing the India-UAE Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.
“Glad to meet HH Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the Crown Prince of Dubai. Dubai has played a key role in advancing the India-UAE Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.
“This special visit reaffirms our deep-rooted friendship and paves the way for even stronger collaboration in the future.”
The Dubai Crown Prince said in a post that their talks reaffirmed the strength of UAE–India ties
“which is built on trust, shaped by history, and driven by a shared vision to create a future full of opportunity, innovation, and lasting prosperity”.
“It was a pleasure meeting the Prime Minister @NarendraModi today in New Delhi.
“Our conversations reaffirmed the strength of UAE–India ties which is built on trust, shaped by history, and driven by a shared vision to create a future full of opportunity, innovation, and lasting prosperity.”
The MEA spokesperson said in a post:
“An age old & ever-growing partnership.
“PM @narendramodi met Crown prince of Dubai HH Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, @HamdanMohammed.
“They discussed Dubai’s key role in strengthening India-UAE ties across defence, trade, technology, space & connectivity and people to people ties.”
"The visit underscores the UAE leadership’s commitment to building strategic alliances with key international partners to foster growth, drive innovation, and promote collaboration across vital sectors," state news agency Wam said on Tuesday.
The value of non-oil trade between India and the UAE reached $54.2 billion in 2023, according to figures shared by Dubai Media Office.
In Dubai alone, none-oil trade with India surged from $36.7bn in 2019 to $45.4 billion in 2023.
More than 16,000 Indian companies joined the Dubai Chamber of Commerce last year, taking the total number beyond 70,000.
UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed visited India in January last year to attend a three-day global business summit, during which he also held high-level talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
In September last year, Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, made an official visit to India during which he held talks with PM Modi.
Sheikh Hamdan's delegation includes Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed, President of the Dubai Civil Aviation Authority, Chairman of Dubai Airports, and chairman and chief executive of Emirates airline, Mohammed Al Gergawi, Minister of Cabinet Affairs, Reem Al Hashimy, Minister of State for International Co-operation, Abdulla bin Touq, Minister of Economy, and Dr Thani Al Zeyoudi, Minister of State for Foreign Trade.
The delegation also includes senior officials and leaders representing different economic sectors.
Earlier in the day, the Dubai Crown Prince also held meetings with External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh.
His visit comes days after Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Colombo and his talks with the Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, during which the two sides along with the UAE signed a trilateral MoU for turning Trincomalee into an energy hub.
The Dubai Crown Prince will proceed to Mumbai. During the visit, he will also participate in a business roundtable with prominent business leaders from both sides.
The interaction is aimed to strengthen India–UAE economic and commercial cooperation across traditional and futuristic areas.
Traditionally, Dubai has played an important role in India’s commercial, cultural and people-to-people exchanges with the UAE.
Majority of India’s around 4.3 million diaspora in UAE reside and work in Dubai. The visit of the Crown Prince will further solidify the India-UAE Comprehensive Strategic Partnership and strengthen the multifaceted ties with Dubai, a statement said.
UNI RN