Context:
On his first official visit to India, Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the Crown Prince of Dubai and UAE Defence Minister, held high-level discussions with Indian leadership to strengthen bilateral cooperation in defence, trade, education, infrastructure, and strategic partnerships.
Top Announcements & Agreements
1. Education
- IIM Ahmedabad campus to open in Dubai.
- First MBA programme to launch in September 2025.
- Indian Institute of Foreign Trade (IIFT) to open its first overseas campus at the India Pavilion, ExpoCity Dubai.
2. Infrastructure & Business
- Construction of Bharat Mart to begin soon; 3D renderings launched.
- Grant of land for UAE-India Friendship Hospital in Dubai.
- Dubai Chamber of Commerce to open India Office.
- Development of ship-repair clusters at Kochi and Vadinar.
3. Defence Cooperation
- Emphasis on training exchanges to enhance mutual understanding.
- Satisfaction expressed over existing cooperation mechanisms and joint military exercises.
- Plans to formalize Coast Guard cooperation through a new MoU.
- Focus on co-production, co-development, and defence innovation.
Strategic Highlights
- PM Modi described Sheikh Hamdan’s visit as symbolizing “generational continuity” in India-UAE relations.
- The visit reaffirmed the India-UAE Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, with shared goals in technology, defence, energy, sports, education, and people-to-people ties.
- Crown Prince’s ceremonial welcome and guard of honour reflected India’s diplomatic priority on ties with the UAE.
- Sheikh Hamdan’s meeting with Piyush Goyal focused on the impact of the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) on bilateral trade growth.
The visit marked a significant diplomatic milestone, advancing both geostrategic and economic cooperation between India and the UAE. The announcements are expected to catalyze new investments, defence manufacturing, and bilateral trade expansion, reinforcing India’s strategic presence in the Gulf region.
