Building Bridges: Enhancing India-UAE Relations for a Stronger Future

Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mohammed Al Maktoum, the Crown Prince of Dubai, recently visited India. He’s not just the Crown Prince; he’s also the Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister of the UAE. His trip included important meetings with Indian officials, like Prime Minister Narendra Modi. They discussed ways to strengthen the already strong ties between India and the UAE.

After their meeting, PM Modi shared a message on X (formerly Twitter): "Glad to meet HH Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum. Dubai has played a key role in advancing our partnership and this visit reaffirms our friendship and opens doors for future collaboration." The friendship between India and the UAE has deep historical roots and has grown significantly over the years.

Crown Prince Hamdan echoed these sentiments, stating, "Our conversations reaffirmed the strength of UAE-India ties, built on trust and shared goals for innovation and prosperity." This relationship is essential, especially since about four million Indians live and work in the UAE, primarily in Dubai. The UAE serves as India’s third-largest trading partner and is a major importer of Indian goods. Recent data shows that India’s imports of crude oil from the Middle East rose to 53.89% in January 2025, underlining the importance of secure energy supplies and the need for solid defence cooperation.

During his visit, the Crown Prince engaged in talks with India’s Defence Minister, Rajnath Singh. They agreed on enhancing Coast Guard cooperation and also discussed military production partnerships. Both leaders expressed commitment to deepening these ties to foster peace and stability in the region. This collaboration is not new; both nations have been enhancing their military engagement through joint exercises and strategic dialogues.

The Indian Embassy in Abu Dhabi reports regular exchanges in defence matters, emphasizing the importance of military cooperation. They’ve established a Joint Defence Cooperation Committee to navigate security issues. Additionally, both countries have conducted joint naval and air exercises in the past, showcasing their commitment to working together.

In the face of evolving regional dynamics, India and the UAE are exploring joint production of defence equipment. India has been proactive in offering advanced systems like the Akash air defence missile to the UAE and discussions around the procurement of BrahMos missiles are underway.

This visit comes at a time when India is expanding its influence in the Middle East, particularly amid the cyclical conflicts stemming from Gaza and Israel. Notably, India is part of the I2U2 group along with the US, UAE, and Israel, aiming for collaboration on strategic economic initiatives.

As India takes steps to forge defence agreements with regional partners, including a planned visit by PM Modi to Saudi Arabia soon, the collaboration with the UAE could serve as a crucial counterbalance to Pakistan’s influence in the region.

Overall, the recent discussions between India and the UAE highlight a multifaceted partnership that spans trade, defence collaboration, and cultural ties. Increased cooperation in areas like counter-terrorism and cyber security suggests a forward-thinking approach, as both nations look to the future. The recent interactions are sure to pave the way for even closer ties in the coming years.

For more on India-UAE relations, you can visit ETV Bharat to stay updated.

Check out this related article: Strengthening Bonds: India and Tanzania Discover Innovative Strategies to Enhance Defence Cooperation

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