Abu Dhabi’s Crown Prince Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan arrives in India on September 9-10 for an official visit. This marks his first trip to New Delhi as Crown Prince, invited by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Accompanied by UAE ministers and a business delegation, Sheikh Khaled’s visit underscores the significance of India-UAE relations.
Key Meetings and Events
On September 9, the Crown Prince will pay homage to Mahatma Gandhi at Rajghat. Following this, he will meet PM Narendra Modi to discuss bilateral cooperation, including potential agreements and the Israel-Hamas conflict. The visit will also include a call on President Droupadi Murmu at Rashtrapati Bhavan.
The next day, Sheikh Khaled will travel to Mumbai to participate in a Business Forum, engaging with top business leaders from both countries.
India-UAE Comprehensive Strategic Partnership
Since Prime Minister Modi’s historic visit to the UAE in August 2015, the two countries have developed a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. This includes the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) signed in February 2022 and a Local Currency Settlement System (LCS) introduced in July 2023.
India is the UAE’s second-largest trading partner, with bilateral trade projected to reach USD 100 billion by the decade’s end. The UAE is a major investor in India and a key partner in various sectors including trade, technology, and energy.
Recent Developments and Future Prospects
The UAE’s support is crucial for India’s regional strategy, including its relations with Pakistan. The UAE’s recent inclusion in the BRICS forum and the India-UAE-France (UFI) trilateral highlight the growing strategic alignment between the nations.
Prime Minister Modi’s February visit to the UAE saw the exchange of eight agreements and underscored the commitment to enhance connectivity and economic cooperation.
