Sheikh Hamdan Concludes India Visit, Boosts UAE-India Strategic Ties

Photo : Dubai Government Media Office

His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister, and Minister of Defence of the UAE, has completed his first official visit to India. During this important trip, he met with top Indian leaders to discuss how both countries can work more closely together in areas like trade, education, health, and technology.

Sheikh Hamdan spoke about how strong the friendship between the UAE and India has always been. He said the relationship is based on trust, respect, and shared goals. He also shared that both countries are working hand-in-hand to build a better future through cooperation and new ideas.

During the visit, Sheikh Hamdan met with the Prime Minister of India, Mr. Narendra Modi. He passed along warm greetings from the UAE leadership and spoke about the strong and growing connection between the two countries. Sheikh Hamdan praised India’s rich history and its large, talented population. He said trade has always been a strong link between the two nations and will continue to bring them even closer in the future.

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One of the highlights of the trip was the signing of eight important agreements, also called Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs). These agreements will help the UAE and India work together more closely in many important fields like building infrastructure, healthcare, university education, shipping, transport, and private business. These agreements are part of a bigger plan started in 2022, called the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), which helps both countries do business more easily and successfully. Because of this plan, trade between the two countries grew by 20% in 2024, reaching AED 240 billion.

Sheikh Hamdan also praised the UAE’s private companies for helping to grow the country’s economy and for building strong partnerships around the world. He was proud of how businesses are using new technology to support smart and sustainable growth.

As part of his visit, Sheikh Hamdan went to Bengaluru, where he opened the second office of the Dubai International Chamber in India. This new office will help businesses in both countries work together more easily. He also visited the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) in Mumbai. The BSE is one of the oldest stock exchanges in the world and was the first one in Asia, started in 1875.

Sheikh Hamdan also officially opened a big new trade facility called the Nhava Sheva Business Park (NSBP) in Mumbai. This is part of DP World’s Free Trade Warehousing Zone (FTWZ), and it’s the third one built in India. More than AED 735 million (US$200 million) was invested in this project. This new facility will help companies store and move goods faster and cheaper, which is great for trade between India and the UAE.

Sheikh Hamdan was joined on this visit by a team of top UAE leaders and ministers. The group included:

• Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum (President of Dubai Civil Aviation Authority and Chairman of Emirates)
• Mohammad bin Abdullah Al Gergawi (Minister of Cabinet Affairs)
• Reem bint Ebrahim Al Hashimy (Minister of State for International Cooperation)
• Dr. Ahmad Belhoul Al Falasi (Minister of Sports)
• Abdulla bin Touq Al Marri (Minister of Economy)
• Mohamed bin Hadi Al Hussaini (Minister of State for Financial Affairs)
• Omar bin Sultan Al Olama (Minister of State for Artificial Intelligence, Digital Economy, and Remote Work Applications)
• Many other officials and leaders from different business areas were also part of the delegation.

This visit was a big step forward for the UAE and India. It showed how both countries are working together to build a future full of opportunity, success, and shared growth.