Explore the state of UAE-India bilateral relations under Narendra Modi

UAE President HH Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed has sent a cable of congratulations to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on his re-election for a third term. HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, has also sent similar messages.

Modi is expected to take oath as the Prime Minister of India for the third consecutive time on June 9, BJP leader Prahlad Joshi said at the NDA parliamentary party meeting that began at around 11:30 am on Friday in the Central Hall of the old Parliament building.

Labourers part of the Central Vista project, transgenders, staff from Railways operating on the Vande Bharat and Metro trains, beneficiaries of government schemes and Viksit Bharat ambassadors have been invited to attend the Sunday ceremony, as per media reports.

State of UAE-India relations under Narendra Modi

UAE-India relations have noted remarkable improvements since 2014. The ties encompass trade, investment, energy, technology, defence and security cooperation at the bilateral level. Both countries are also essential elements of mini-lateral groupings like I2U2.

Under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi since 2014, UAE-India bilateral relations have marked a remarkable expansion across various sectors. The Emirates has emerged as the most important pillar of India’s outreach to the massive Gulf region.

Since he first became Prime Minister, Modi has visited the UAE seven times. During his first official trip to the Gulf state as the PM in 2015, Modi became the first Indian Prime Minister to visit the UAE in 34 years – the last by Indira Gandhi in 1981.

UAE and India sharing deepening bonds across sectors

The UAE and India have several common interests. A central reason for the UAE being one of India’s closest partners in the region is the 3.5 million-strong Indian community – playing a significant role in the UAE’s economy.

Last year, both countries completed 50 years of diplomatic relations. The UAE and India share deepening bonds across different sectors, such as clean energy and climate action, fintech, food security, digital payments, defence and cyber security, and education.

Since the UAE-India Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (Cepa) came into effect in 2022, there has been a 16% increase in trade, taking it to $84.84 billion. The Central Bank of the UAE and the Reserve Bank of India have also signed a key MoU.

Presence of 3.5 million strong Indian diaspora in UAE

The UAE-India relationship has been built on close cultural, economic and people-to-people ties. The setting up of the BAPS Hindu Temple in the UAE capital is another example of the deepening relations. The UAE government provided land free of cost for the Mandir.

The presence of the 3.5 million strong Indian diaspora in the Emirates forms a natural connection between both countries. The contribution of the Indian community in the development of the UAE has been acknowledged by the Gulf state.

During COVID-19, the UAE and India supported each other by providing the resources available to them to combat the virus. India supplied medicines and medical equipment to the UAE in 2020. In 2021, the UAE among other countries provided medical supplies to India.