His Highness Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, recently completed a pivotal official visit to India from 9th to 10th September 2024, following an invitation from Prime Minister Narendra Modi. This marked the Crown Prince’s inaugural visit to India in his current role, signifying a new chapter in the strong bilateral relations between India and the UAE.
Upon arrival in New Delhi, His Highness was greeted by Commerce and Industry Minister Shri Piyush Goyal and honored with a ceremonial Guard of Honour. Accompanied by senior ministers, officials, and a substantial business delegation, the visit underscored the growing importance of the India-UAE partnership.
In a key bilateral meeting, Prime Minister Modi extended warm greetings to the Crown Prince and conveyed his regards to UAE President, His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan. Both leaders acknowledged the remarkable progress made in recent years, particularly under the India-UAE Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. They discussed plans to further expand collaboration across various sectors including nuclear energy, critical minerals, green hydrogen, artificial intelligence, and advanced technologies.
A significant highlight was the affirmation of the success of the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) and the recent implementation of the Bilateral Investment Treaty (BIT), which together are expected to drive even stronger economic ties.
Several Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) and agreements were signed during the visit, setting the stage for enhanced cooperation in both traditional and emerging sectors. Noteworthy among these were:
During his stay, His Highness Sheikh Khaled also met with President Droupadi Murmu at Rashtrapati Bhavan, where they exchanged views on the long-standing and dynamic relationship between India and the UAE. President Murmu expressed her appreciation for the UAE’s leadership, particularly for hosting over 3.5 million Indian residents.
In a symbolic gesture of continuity, the Crown Prince visited Rajghat to pay tribute to Mahatma Gandhi, planting a sapling as the third generation of UAE leadership to do so. This act highlighted the enduring friendship between the two nations, with his father and grandfather having similarly honoured Mahatma Gandhi in previous visits.
The visit culminated in the India-UAE Business Forum held in Mumbai, which brought together key players from both nations to discuss collaboration in sectors such as healthcare, AI, biotechnology, and renewable energy. Sheikh Khaled underscored the importance of CEPA in driving bilateral economic growth and fostering innovation, while emphasizing the UAE’s commitment to enhancing its business-friendly ecosystem.
Several agreements were signed at the forum, including a notable partnership between Lulu Group and India’s Agricultural and Processed Food Export Development Authority for importing Indian organic produce to the UAE. Additionally, strategic alliances in natural resource extraction, logistics, and aircraft maintenance were announced, further broadening the scope of collaboration between the two countries.
The visit of His Highness Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan marks a significant milestone in the India-UAE relationship, deepening ties in areas that are vital to both nations’ future. From energy security to technological advancement, this visit has laid the groundwork for further strengthening this comprehensive partnership in the years to come.
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