DUBAI/NEW DELHI: His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence, today met with India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the country’s capital.
This pivotal meeting marks the beginning of the Crown Prince’s official visit to the South Asian country, underscoring the importance of UAE-India relations in a rapidly changing global landscape.
During the discussions, both leaders exchanged greetings and warm wishes, laying the groundwork for a robust dialogue focused on mutual interests.
Expanding UAE-India partnership
During the meeting, the Crown Prince conveyed the greetings of President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, and His Highness Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Vice President, Deputy Prime Minister and Chairman of the Presidential Court. He articulated the UAE leadership's best wishes for the sustained growth and development of India, while Prime Minister Modi reciprocated with his greetings for the UAE leadership, expressing hopes for continued progress and prosperity.
The two leaders delved into the deepening strategic partnership between the UAE and India, marked by a shared vision for the future. They underscored the significance of further strengthening ties, building on their long-standing relationship and shared development goals. Sheikh Hamdan reaffirmed the UAE’s pride in the steady growth of its partnership with India, highlighting a relationship founded on decades of mutual respect and a joint pursuit of progress.
Focus on investment, tech and trade
The Crown Prince expressed confidence that the next phase of cooperation would yield even greater benefits across a multitude of strategic areas, including investment, trade, tourism, industry, infrastructure, logistics, energy, food security, advanced technology, artificial intelligence, digital transformation, and space exploration. The partnership also encompasses vital sectors such as healthcare, education, defence, and other key areas that are central to both countries' development agendas.
Moreover, the Crown Prince acknowledged the invaluable contributions of the Indian community to the development of the UAE. He emphasised the country’s commitment to providing an inclusive environment for all residents, highlighting the UAE’s world-class infrastructure, logistics network, and flexible legislative framework, which collectively foster a secure and growth-friendly environment for business and investment.
The Crown Prince praised India’s remarkable economic transformation under PM Modi’s leadership and expressed optimism about evolving the bilateral partnership to tackle global challenges and seize emerging opportunities. Both leaders highlighted the necessity of offering robust incentives for increased investment and launching new joint ventures, leveraging the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement and the Bilateral Investment Treaty recently signed by both nations.
Addressing the challenges together
The discussions also focused on the imperative to enhance mutual investment and stimulate closer collaboration between the private sectors of both the UAE and India. The leaders explored the potential for establishing new partnerships that capitalise on the economic development initiatives in both countries.
In addition, the Crown Prince and the Indian premier addressed regional and international developments, affirming that dialogue remains the most effective means of resolving disputes, safeguarding stability, and pursuing secure and prosperous futures for both nations.
Later, the Crown Prince held a meeting Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, discussing avenues to strengthen defence and military cooperation between the two friendly countries.