South Asia

Abu Dhabi crown prince set to visit India in September

Published: 12:43, 29 August 2024

Abu Dhabi’s Crown Prince Khaled bin Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan set to visit India early next month to bolster trade and strategic ties, people familiar with the matter said on Thursday.

During his visit, which is anticipated on September 8, Sheikh Khaled is expected to meet with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other top officials. The focus of these discussions is likely to be on fostering long-term partnerships that will benefit both nations in the decades to come.
Although no formal agreements are expected to be signed during this visit, both countries are likely to reaffirm their commitment to enhancing their cooperation in various sectors, including trade and security, as per the sources who spoke on condition of anonymity.
This visit will be part of a series of high-level exchanges between the two countries in recent years. Prime Minister Modi has made seven trips to the UAE since 2015 as part of his administration's efforts to strengthen ties with key Middle Eastern nations. The UAE's President, Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, commonly known as MBZ, made his most recent visit to India in September 2023.
Sheikh Khaled, who was appointed Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi by his father MBZ in March 2023, is expected to succeed him as president of the UAE, which is the second-largest economy in the Arab world. Since his appointment, Sheikh Khaled has traveled abroad infrequently, with his most recent visit being to Malaysia in May of last year.
Since the implementation of the India-UAE Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) in 2022, bilateral trade has surged, reaching nearly $85 billion in the fiscal year 2023. The UAE is India's third-largest trading partner, following the United States and China, and is the second-largest destination for Indian exports. Meanwhile, India ranks as the UAE's second-largest trading partner, accounting for 9% of its total foreign trade and 14% of its non-oil exports.
A key element in the relationship between the two nations is the significant Indian expatriate community in the UAE, which numbers 3.5 million, making up 30% of the UAE's population. This community is not only the largest expatriate group in the country but also a major contributor to India's foreign exchange earnings through remittances.