Team Blitz India
NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s two-day visit to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) was hailed as a “special occasion” by Abdulnasser Alshaali, the UAE’s Ambassador to India.
In an interview with a prominent English daily, just before the visit, he remarked that it “aligns with the values of tolerance and acceptance that guide our bilateral ties.”
Ambassador Alshaali also emphasised the symbolic significance of the visit, in an email exchange with The Indian Express. He said: “The visit holds symbolic importance, showcasing the friendship between the two nations.”
He highlighted the UAE’s appreciation for the cultural diversity represented by the Indian diaspora, the largest expatriate group in the UAE with a population of 3.5 million.
Alshaali underscored the growing economic collaboration between the two countries, asserting, “The UAE prioritises its bilateral and diplomatic ties with India based on the two countries’ common political, economic, and diplomatic interests, desire to promote peace and prosperity in the international arena, and deep shared history.”
As per latest static available on the website of the Ministry of External Affairs, both countries rank among each other’s top trading partners, with bilateral trade amounting to approximately $85 billion in 2022-23.
Moreover, the UAE stands among the top four investors in India in terms of foreign direct investments during the same period.
Alshaali stressed the importance of trade relations in propelling the UAEIndia bilateral partnership forward, noting significant growth in both quantitative and qualitative aspects of the economic relationship. Regarding the contribution of the diaspora and geopolitical factors to strengthening ties, Alshaali highlighted their critical yet distinct roles in fostering a robust bilateral relationship.
