Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Dubai Crown Prince Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed Al Maktoum held high-level discussions in New Delhi on April 8, 2025, aimed at enhancing the India-UAE Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. Their talks focused on strengthening cooperation in defence, coast guard operations, trade, technology, space, and people-to-people ties. Sheikh Hamdan’s first official visit to India as crown prince marked a significant milestone in bilateral relations, underscoring shared strategic priorities and mutual economic interests.
Key Highlights
Defence and Security Cooperation
- India and UAE agreed to deepen defence and Coast Guard cooperation.
- A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed to formalise Coast Guard collaboration.
- Talks between Sheikh Hamdan and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh emphasised scaling defence ties to match trade growth.
Key focus areas include
- Joint training exchanges
- Co-production and co-development projects
- Defence manufacturing collaborations
- Both sides welcomed the India-UAE Defence Partnership Forum.
- Complementarity between Make-in-India and Make-in-Emirates initiatives was discussed.
High-Level Diplomatic Engagements
- PM Modi described Sheikh Hamdan’s visit as a reaffirmation of the “deep-rooted friendship”.
- External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar also met with Sheikh Hamdan, expressing appreciation for the strong ties.
- Sheikh Hamdan described India-UAE relations as being “built on trust, shaped by history.”
Trade and Economic Cooperation
- Dubai Chamber hosted the Dubai-India Business Forum in Mumbai with 200 Indian business leaders.
Key trade stats,
- India-UAE non-oil trade in 2023: $54.2 billion
- Dubai-India bilateral trade: $45.4 billion
- Dubai’s investment in India: $4.68 billion
In 2024
- 16,623 Indian companies joined the Dubai Chamber of Commerce.
- Indian companies in Dubai now total over 70,000.
Connectivity and People-to-People Ties
- Dubai welcomed 3.14 million South Asian visitors in 2024, with India as the largest source.
- Leaders emphasized the role of connectivity, culture, and historical links in bolstering bilateral ties.
| Summary/Static | Details |
| Why in the news? | India-UAE Strengthen To Enhance Strategic Partnership |
| Defence Cooperation | MoU on Coast Guard collaboration; focus on training, co-production, and innovation |
| Diplomatic Engagement | PM Modi & Sheikh Hamdan discussed strategic cooperation; met Rajnath Singh & Jaishankar |
| Economic & Trade Relations | $54.2B non-oil trade; 70K+ Indian companies in Dubai; growing UAE investment in India |
| Business Forum | Dubai-India Business Forum held in Mumbai with 200 business leaders |
| Tourism & People Exchange | Dubai received 3.14M South Asian visitors in 2024, India being the top contributor |
| Industrial Collaboration | Emphasis on Make-in-India and Make-in-Emirates synergy |
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