Marking Republic Day, the Indian Ambassador hailed India–UAE relations as a strategic, developmental alliance built on trust, highlighting the India UAE partnership.
ABU DHABI: As the Republic of India celebrates its 77th Republic Day on January 26, the occasion also highlights one of its most dynamic and future-oriented bilateral relationships: the India UAE partnership.
Dr. Deepak Mittal, Ambassador of India to the UAE, said the relationship is not just shaped by geography but by a unity of purpose and shared ambition. He described the partnership as one rooted in belief, collaboration and a mutual vision for the future.
India enters this milestone with confidence in its development journey, driven by innovation, entrepreneurship and investment in human capital. The country is now the fourth-largest economy in the world and is expected to become the third-largest by the end of the decade.
Dr. Mittal noted that the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between India and the UAE continues to set benchmarks in diplomacy, innovation and economic collaboration. Bilateral trade has crossed US$100 billion, and both nations have set a target of US$200 billion by 2032. The Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) signed in 2022, along with the Bilateral Investment Treaty in 2024, has further accelerated this growth.
The UAE is India’s third-largest trading partner and second-largest export destination, while India is the UAE’s second-largest trading partner. The countries have also signed a Letter of Intent for the UAE’s involvement in developing the Special Investment Region in Dholera, Gujarat, which supports India’s industrial expansion plans.
India and the UAE are collaborating on emerging sectors such as digital payments, AI, local currency trade, food parks, nuclear energy and data infrastructure. Key initiatives include UPI–AANI integration, the Jaywan card, Virtual Trade Corridor, and Bharat Mart in Dubai, highlighting an increasingly digital and innovative partnership.
The ambassador also confirmed ongoing progress toward a Strategic Defence Partnership, reinforcing shared commitments to regional peace and security.
In education, the launch of IIT Delhi–Abu Dhabi and IIM Ahmedabad’s Dubai campus demonstrates a shared focus on preparing future generations for a knowledge economy. These institutions reflect the strength of the India UAE partnership in academic and innovation-led growth.
Dr. Mittal praised the Indian community in the UAE, now numbering over four million, for their role in shaping the country’s development while also contributing to India’s global success. He described the BAPS Hindu Temple in Abu Dhabi as a symbol of cultural harmony and mutual respect, noting that the House of India announced for the UAE will further celebrate the friendship between the two nations.
The India UAE partnership continues to thrive through shared values, forward-thinking cooperation and a commitment to building a more inclusive and prosperous future for both countries.
-WAM
