Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has extended an invitation to Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister, and Minister of Defense, to visit India in April. The invitation was delivered by Indian External Affairs Minister Dr. Subrahmanyam Jaishankar during a meeting with Sheikh Hamdan in Dubai on Wednesday.
During the meeting, Sheikh Hamdan expressed his commitment to further strengthening the long-standing ties between the UAE and India, which span across various sectors such as economic, cultural, social, and developmental domains. He also acknowledged the continued growth of UAE-India relations under the leadership of President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
The discussion focused on deepening bilateral cooperation, particularly in areas aligned with the future goals of both nations. The importance of bolstering economic connections by fully utilizing the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) to promote trade and investment was also emphasized.
The meeting was attended by key UAE ministers, including Mohammed bin Abdullah Al Gergawi, Reem bint Ibrahim Al Hashimi, and Dr. Omar bin Sultan Al Olama. India and the UAE, which share historical relations dating back centuries, have developed strong diplomatic ties, particularly after the UAE’s independence in 1972. Trade and commerce remain central to their partnership, with bilateral trade reportedly surpassing $60 billion in recent years.
