UAE-India ties set a perfect model

The UAE and India have set a marvellous example of how true friendship between two nations should be, based on mutual respect and co-operation. The two countries enjoy historically strong and cordial relations across multiple fronts, backed by top-level political and people-to-people interactions.

In this background, President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan’s conferring on Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi the Zayed Medal, the highest decoration awarded to kings, presidents and heads of states, has pushed the bilateral relationship to a much higher level.

His Highness Sheikh Mohamed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, has credited Modi with playing a pivotal role in enhancing bilateral ties to the level of comprehensive strategic relations.

As Sheikh Mohamed outlined, the historical relationship that the UAE shares with India is now being renewed strategically and strengthened in preparation for the future.

Modi, on his part, has taken to Twitter stating: “Thank you, Your Highness Mohamed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan. I accept this honour with utmost humility. Under your visionary leadership, our strategic ties have reached new heights. This friendship is contributing to the peace and prosperity of our people and planet.”

The partnership between the two nations has been intensifying at amazing speed. In the words of Ambassador of India to the UAE, Navdeep Suri, “In the energy sector, we have seen India being awarded with a new onshore oil concession in Abu Dhabi. Our first strategic petroleum reserve has taken off in partnership with ADNOC and discussions are in progress for a second, even larger strategic reserve. ADNOC and ARAMCO have also agreed to a strategic tie-up for our mega West Coast refinery project. We are putting together an ambitious India-UAE food corridor. And we are seeing unprecedented cooperation in our defence and security ties.”

When Modi visited the UAE in August 2015, the two countries decided to elevate ties to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. Modi made another visit to the UAE in February 2018.

Dr Thani Bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, Minister of Climate Change and Environment, recently mentioned that valued at $180 million per annum in the 1970s, the balance of trade volume between India and the UAE is now worth $57 billion, making India the largest trading partner of the UAE, while the UAE is India’s third largest trading partner.

The UAE is currently the largest source of remittances to India that amounted to an astounding $13.82 billion in 2017.

The UAE Ambassador to India, Dr Ahmed Al Banna, recently declared that the UAE government was working with its Indian counterparts to make air travel to the UAE cheaper for tourists and visitors. The current number of 1,068 flights between the two countries with a weekly capacity of 168,000 seats does not meet the demand. Indians are the second largest ethnic group of visitors to Dubai in terms of hotel room occupancy. This figure is set to grow with an increase of available seats on flights.

The Indian community of over 3 million is a major part of UAE’s vibrant society.

Sincere friendship and active cooperation between two nations could help people reap huge benefits in the form of peace, progress and prosperity. On this, the UAE-India ties offer a perfect example.