‘TODAY, the UAE has written a golden chapter in human history,” said Prime Minister Narendra Modi in his address at the inauguration of the BAPS Hindu Mandir in Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates.
While welcoming him, UAE minister Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan referred to PM Modi as a “great friend from a friendly country.” He stressed the deep relations shared by the two nations, adding that these will be strengthened by his visit.
The statements underline the importance of PM Modi’s two-day visit to the UAE – his seventh since 2015 – reflecting the growing importance of bilateral relations. The grand opening of a Hindu temple in the region on February 14 and the ‘Ahlan Modi’ event a day earlier point to the bonds deepening further.
Strategic relationship
India and the UAE established diplomatic relations in 1972. It was the PM’s August 2015 visit that marked the beginning of a new strategic partnership between India and the UAE.
Later, during the visit of the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi to India as the Chief Guest at Republic Day celebrations in 2017, it was agreed that bilateral relations will be upgraded to a comprehensive strategic partnership. This gave a push to the negotiations for an India-UAE Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement. .
During his latest visit, PM Modi met President of the UAE His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan in Abu Dhabi on February 13. The two leaders endorsed the efforts from both sides to strengthen the strong economic and commercial cooperation and explore new areas of collaboration, stated a joint statement.
They welcomed the strong growth witnessed in the UAE-India trade relations since the entry into force of the CEPA on May 1, 2022. As a result, the UAE is India’s third-largest trading partner for the year 2022-23 and India’s second-largest export destination.
India is the UAE’s second largest trading partner, with bilateral trade rising to $85 billion in 2022-23. In this regard, the leaders expressed optimism regarding elevating the bilateral trade to $100 billion well ahead of the target year 2030, the statement added.
They also acknowledged the formal unveiling of the UAE-India CEPA Council (UICC), which stands as an important development in the bilateral trade partnership.
Both sides noted that the temple in Abu Dhabi is a celebration of UAE-India friendship, deep-rooted cultural bonds and an embodiment of the UAE’s global commitment to harmony, tolerance and peaceful coexistence.
The UAE is home to about 3.5 million Indians, making it the largest diaspora anywhere in the world. The Indian community has been graciously taken care of, as PM Modi stated. He mentioned the special care taken during the Covid-19 times when the Indian diaspora was provided all possible assistance.
