On 9 September 2024, Prime Minister Narendra Modi held comprehensive discussions with Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, focusing on strengthening the strategic partnership between India and the UAE.
The Crown Prince arrived in India on 8 September. External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal welcomed him on ‘X’, noting that the discussions would cover the entire spectrum of India-UAE relations and future cooperation.
Since PM Modi’s visit to the UAE in 2015, bilateral relations have significantly improved, with both nations establishing a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. Key agreements include the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), signed in February 2022, and the Local Currency Settlement (LCS) system introduced in July 2023, enabling cross-border transactions using Indian Rupees and UAE Dirhams.
Bilateral trade between the two countries reached approximately $85B in 2022-23, with the UAE ranking among India’s top investors. The Indian community in the UAE is the largest expatriate group, with around 3.5 million members.
India has also supported the UAE’s participation in major global forums, such as the G20, BRICS, and the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO). The trilateral India-UAE-France partnership, formally launched in February 2023, further solidifies their cooperation on the global stage. Defence ties have also deepened, exemplified by the first bilateral army exercise, ‘Desert Cyclone’, held in Rajasthan in January 2024.
This visit highlights the growing relationship between India and the UAE, with both nations committed to further strengthening strategic, economic, and defence partnerships.
