Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, arrived in New Delhi on Sunday for his first official visit to India. He is in India at the invitation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Ceremonial Welcome and Key Meetings
Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal greeted the Crown Prince at the airport and extended a ceremonial welcome. Sheikh Khaled’s visit marks his first official trip to India in his role as Crown Prince. He is accompanied by several UAE ministers and a business delegation.
During his visit, Sheikh Khaled is scheduled to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi on September 9. They will discuss a wide range of bilateral cooperation areas. The Crown Prince will also meet President Droupadi Murmu and visit Rajghat to pay tribute to Mahatma Gandhi.
On September 10, Sheikh Khaled will travel to Mumbai to participate in a business forum. This forum will feature business leaders from both India and the UAE, aiming to enhance economic collaboration between the two nations.
Strengthening Bilateral Relations
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) highlighted that India and the UAE share historically strong and friendly ties. In recent years, their Comprehensive Strategic Partnership has deepened across various sectors, including politics, trade, investment, energy, technology, education, and culture. The Crown Prince’s visit is expected to further strengthen these bilateral relations and explore new partnership opportunities.
In January, UAE President Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan visited India to discuss ways to enhance the strategic partnership between the two countries. He also attended the Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit. Earlier in July 2023, Prime Minister Modi visited the UAE, marking his fifth visit since becoming the first Indian Prime Minister to visit the UAE in 34 years in 2015.
The India-UAE relationship was formally elevated to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership during Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan’s visit to India in 2017. According to the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO), India-UAE trade reached USD 85 billion in 2022, making the UAE India’s third-largest trading partner and second-largest export destination. Conversely, India is the UAE’s second-largest trading partner.
Also Read: Italian Prime Minister Meloni Advocates For India’s Role In Resolving Russia-Ukraine Conflict
