DUBAI: His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Defence of the UAE, and Chairman of The Executive Council of Dubai, will begin his first official visit to India on Tuesday.
The visit will commence in New Delhi, with a focus on strengthening the strategic relationship between the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and India.
This high-level engagement reflects the UAE's commitment to deepening ties with global partners through shared initiatives, innovation, and sustainable economic collaboration.
Crown Prince’s visit to India
During the visit, His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum will hold discussions with senior Indian officials to explore avenues for enhanced bilateral cooperation. On 8 April, Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi will host a working lunch for the Crown Prince, during which they are expected to discuss various topics of mutual interest.
The Crown Prince will also meet with External Affairs Minister Dr. S Jaishankar and Defence Minister Shri Rajnath Singh. The meetings are anticipated to cover key sectors including trade, technology, infrastructure, aviation, and the digital economy.
The talks come amid growing economic exchanges between the two nations, with India being one of the UAE's largest trading partners. Non-oil trade between the two countries crossed Dh180 billion in 2023, marking a growth of over 15 percent compared to the previous year.
Who is part of Crown Prince’s delegation?
His Highness will be accompanied by a distinguished delegation comprising top government officials and industry leaders. Notable members include His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, President of the Dubai Civil Aviation Authority; Reem bint Ebrahim Al Hashimy, Minister of State for International Cooperation; and Dr. Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, Minister of State for Foreign Trade. The group also features representatives from sectors such as artificial intelligence, digital economy, aviation, and sports, underscoring the comprehensive scope of the visit.
The UAE-India strategic relationship has witnessed significant advancement in recent years, particularly after the signing of the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) in 2022. The ongoing collaboration spans fields such as renewable energy, fintech, and space technology. The Crown Prince’s visit is expected to reinforce these ties and create new pathways for joint development and investment.