Team Blitz India
INDIANS have been residing in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) for centuries, but formal ties began with the country’s formation in 1971. The numbers began to swell thereafter. A significant surge started in the 1990s when Dubai was on its way to becoming a global trade hub. The massive construction and infrastructure development in Dubai attracted a large number of skilled workers and professionals from India, and this trend continues to this day.
30 pc of population
According to a 2020 report from the United Nations’ Department of Economic and Social Affairs, the UAE is home to more than 3.5 million Indians. This is a substantial number and makes the Indian community the largest ethnic group in the country, comprising approximately 30 per cent of the total population.
Emiratis (the people of the UAE) are wellversed in Indian culture. Indian movies, TV shows, and radio stations are highly popular in the country. Major theatres and cinema halls in the UAE regularly screen popular Hindi, Malayalam, Telugu, and Tamil films.
The Emirati community actively participates in events like the International Day of Yoga, and the UAE hosts numerous yoga and meditation centres. The Abu Dhabi Sports Council and the UAE Ministry of Tolerance & Coexistence actively promote community events and encourage the Indian diaspora’s involvement in sports, fitness, and cultural activities.
Artefacts from India
The Louvre Museum in Abu Dhabi, the only branch of the Louvre Museum outside of Paris, even houses a collection of artefacts from India, including the famous Mughal painting ‘The Huntress’.
In February 2022, a special Joint Commemorative Stamp was launched by the Emirates Post and the India Post to mark 75 years of India’s Independence, 50 years since the formation of the UAE, and 50 years of diplomatic relations.
In terms of financial contributions, the Indian community in the UAE plays a significant role in sending remittances back to India. In 2022, these remittances amounted to over $20 billion, highlighting the economic importance of the Indian expatriate community in the UAE.
