Dubai Crown Prince Sheikh Hamdan begins first official visit to India

Dubai Crown Prince Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum arrived in New Delhi on Tuesday for his first official visit to India, according to a report published in Khaleej Times.

The two-day trip, taking place at the invitation of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, began with a high-profile meeting between the two leaders. The visit is set to conclude on Wednesday.

Following his meeting with Modi, Sheikh Hamdan shared a message on social media, reflecting on the strength of the UAE-India relationship.

“Our discussions affirmed the strength of the UAE-India relationship, a relationship built on trust, shaped by history, and driven by our shared vision for a future of opportunity, innovation, and sustainable prosperity,” he posted.

Earlier in the day, the Dubai Crown Prince was received at New Delhi’s airport with ceremonial honors. Suresh Gopi, India’s Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas and Tourism, welcomed him on behalf of the Indian government.

A video released by Asian News International (ANI) showed Sheikh Hamdan walking a red carpet and being saluted by officials. He and Gopi were seen exchanging greetings warmly, hands clasped in a gesture of mutual respect.

Courtesy: X/Dubai Media Office

During his stay, Sheikh Hamdan will hold meetings with senior Indian officials to discuss ways to enhance strategic partnerships. On Tuesday, he met with India’s External Affairs Minister Dr S. Jaishankar. He is expected to meet with Defense Minister Rajnath Singh later in the day.

The visit aims to explore avenues of cooperation across sectors, including trade, innovation, energy, and sustainable development. A business roundtable with key industry leaders from both nations is scheduled for Wednesday in Mumbai.

India and the UAE have seen increasingly close ties in recent years. In January 2024, UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan attended the Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit in India as the chief guest.

In September 2023, Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan also paid an official visit to India. During his trip, he met with Modi and paid homage to Mahatma Gandhi at Rajghat.

Dubai has long served as a critical hub in India-UAE relations, especially in commercial, cultural, and people-to-people ties. Nearly 4 million Indians live in the UAE, forming the country’s largest expatriate community.

Sheikh Hamdan’s visit marks another milestone in the deepening partnership between the two countries, which share long-standing economic and diplomatic ties.