Blitz Bureau
NEW DELHI:THE Indian community in the United Arab Emirates celebrated India’s 79th Independence Day with enthusiasm and patriotic fervour across multiple venues in the country. Flag-hoisting ceremonies, cultural performances, and official addresses marked the occasion at the Indian Embassy in Abu Dhabi, the Consulate General in Dubai, and various community centres throughout the Emirates, reported DD News.
Speaking at separate ceremonies in Dubai and Abu Dhabi, Consul General Satish Kumar Sivan and Ambassador Sunjay Sudhir emphasised that the India–UAE partnership has reached its strongest point in history, anchored by mutual trust, shared vision, and deep people-to-people connections that go beyond traditional diplomatic relations.
The Indian community in the UAE, numbering over 4.3 million according to diplomatic sources, has earned respect not through sheer numbers but through meaningful contributions to the Emirates’ nation-building efforts across sectors ranging from technology and healthcare to business and academia. Both officials thanked the UAE Government and the rulers of all Emirates for their generosity in providing space for the community to flourish and integrate seamlessly into Emirati society.
Ambassador Sudhir described recent bilateral achievements as testament to the partnership’s evolution, citing the establishment of an IIT Delhi campus in Abu Dhabi offering MTech, BTech, and PhD programmes; the upcoming IIM Ahmedabad campus in Dubai; and the first overseas CBSE office serving 105 UAE schools. The integration of India’s Unified Payments Interface (UPI) with the UAE’s AANI payment platform represents a significant step toward financial connectivity, while the inauguration of the BAPS Hindu Temple stands as a symbol of shared values of peace and tolerance.
Consul General Sivan highlighted that the strategic partnership focuses on critical areas including sustainability, green energy, digital transformation, and talent development, aligning with India’s ambitious goal of becoming a USD 30 trillion economy by 2047 and the UAE’s Vision 2071. This alignment reflects both nations’ commitment to future-oriented growth that addresses global challenges while creating opportunities for their populations.
Both envoys underscored India’s remarkable economic trajectory despite challenging global conditions. They noted that India’s rise stems not only from domestic developments but also from the achievements of Indians abroad, who excel in fields spanning technology, healthcare, business, and politics. The relationship has been further strengthened through high-level exchanges in the past decade, including visits by the Crown Princes of both Abu Dhabi and Dubai to India, demonstrating the deep personal commitment of leadership on both sides to expanding cooperation across multiple domains.
