Daijiworld Media Network - Dubai
Dubai, Apr 7: In a move poised to deepen the strategic partnership between India and the United Arab Emirates, Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mohammed Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister, and Minister of Defence of the UAE, is set to commence a significant two-day visit to India on Tuesday. This visit, undertaken at the invitation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, was officially announced by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Monday.
Marking his inaugural official visit to India as the Crown Prince of Dubai, Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mohammed Al Maktoum will be accompanied by a distinguished entourage comprising ministers, senior government officials, and a high-level business delegation.
Prime Minister Modi will host a working lunch in honor of the visiting dignitary on Tuesday, and the Crown Prince is also scheduled to engage in bilateral meetings with External Affairs Minister (EAM) S. Jaishankar and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh.
Following his engagements in Delhi, the Crown Prince will proceed to Mumbai, where he will participate in a pivotal business roundtable with leading figures from both Indian and UAE business sectors. This interaction aims to bolster economic and commercial cooperation between the two nations across both established and emerging sectors.
"Traditionally, Dubai has played an important role in India's commercial, cultural and people-to-people exchanges with the UAE. Majority of India's around 4.3 million diaspora in UAE reside and work in Dubai. The visit of His Highness the Crown Prince will further solidify the India-UAE Comprehensive Strategic Partnership and strengthen our multifaceted ties with Dubai," stated the MEA in its official release.
EAM S. Jaishankar had extended Prime Minister Modi's invitation to the Crown Prince during his visit to the UAE from January 27-29, underscoring the importance of this bilateral relationship.
"Delighted to meet Crown Prince of Dubai and DPM and Minister of Defence of UAE HH Hamdan Mohammed. A warm conversation on our deep bonds of friendship and taking them forward for the good of our people," EAM Jaishankar had posted on X after their meeting, highlighting the deepening economic and people-to-people ties between India and Dubai.