Today, His Highness Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister, and Minister of Defence of the UAE, arrived in New Delhi at the head of a high-level delegation for his inaugural official visit to India. This visit represents more than just a diplomatic engagement; it marks a strategic initiative aimed at furthering the dynamic and growing partnership between the UAE and India.
Over the past five years, trade and investment between the UAE and India have flourished significantly. Indian investments in Dubai have reached AED 17.2 billion, while Emirati investments in India have totaled AED 15 billion during the same period. A major logistics agreement signed in January 2024 between DP World and Gujarat, valued at USD 3 billion, highlights the growing economic cooperation. Additionally, DP World has maintained a sustained presence in India for over 20 years, managing key ports and logistics corridors.
Total bilateral trade between the two nations reached USD 85 billion in 2023, with a target of USD 100 billion by 2030 under the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA). The business landscape has also seen impressive growth. In 2024, 16,623 Indian companies joined the Dubai Chamber, and today, over 70,000 Indian businesses are operating in Dubai.
India ranks among the top three nationalities contributing to new business licenses in the emirates. This increase in business activity highlights the expanding entrepreneurial engagement between the two countries and the UAE’s role as a thriving hub for Indian businesses.
Tourism continues to thrive as a major area of collaboration. In 2024, Dubai welcomed 3.14 million visitors from South Asia, with India being the largest contributor among South Asian markets. India has consistently been one of Dubai’s top five source markets for tourism for the past five years.
This ongoing trend underscores the strong cultural and tourism ties between the UAE and India, reflecting a shared commitment to enhancing travel and tourism exchanges. The people-to-people relationship between the UAE and India is crucial to the success of their partnership.
Over 3.5 million Indian nationals live and work in the UAE, making them the largest expatriate community in the country. Indians contribute across a wide range of sectors, including healthcare, technology, education, banking, logistics, and public service. Their significant presence and contributions continue to enrich the UAE’s social and economic landscape.
Sheikh Hamdan’s visit to India signifies more than just an opportunity to strengthen existing ties; it represents a shared vision for the future. The UAE and India are focusing on areas of mutual interest such as clean energy, green hydrogen, AI, digital infrastructure, food security, advanced logistics, and youth entrepreneurship. Cultural exchange and soft diplomacy are also key elements of this growing partnership, reflecting the two nations’ commitment to long-term collaboration and mutual progress.Sheikh Hamdan’s trip symbolizes the shared vision of both nations to lead the region towards a new phase of economic cooperation, sustainable development, and strategic alignment.
