In a diplomatic move that signals the growing strength of UAE-India relations, His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, made an official visit to India in the first week of April 2025. The visit, which followed a formal invitation from Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, was marked by high-level meetings, economic dialogue, and cultural connection.
Sheikh Hamdan was received with great honor in New Delhi, where he met with Prime Minister Modi and senior Indian officials including External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar. The discussions centered around expanding bilateral trade, enhancing digital and technological cooperation, and exploring fresh avenues for investment under the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) signed between the two nations.
This was not just a ceremonial visit—it was a strategic dialogue aimed at future-proofing relations between two dynamic economies. The leaders spoke about common goals in innovation, sustainability, and economic diversification, with both sides showing intent to transform opportunities into action.
A major highlight of the visit was Sheikh Hamdan’s stop in Mumbai, India’s financial capital. There, he visited the iconic Bombay Stock Exchange and interacted with key figures from India’s business and investment community. His presence underscored Dubai’s interest in closer financial cooperation, encouraging Indian businesses to explore the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) as a global launchpad.
Beyond boardrooms, Sheikh Hamdan also made time to engage with the Indian public and cultural figures. His visit included participation in heritage events and a special outreach to the Indian expatriate community, which forms a significant part of the UAE’s population.
He emphasized the deep cultural ties that bind the UAE and India—ties built not only on trade and diplomacy but on decades of friendship, shared values, and people-to-people connections.
From the discussions held, it’s clear that the UAE and India are charting a course toward deeper strategic engagement. Areas like artificial intelligence, clean energy, infrastructure, and digital innovation are at the forefront of their shared goals.
Sheikh Hamdan’s visit comes at a pivotal moment—when global alliances are shifting, and both nations are looking to play stronger roles on the world stage. His presence in India served not just to celebrate the friendship between the countries but to lay the foundation for what promises to be an ambitious and collaborative future.
Image Source: WAM