Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed to make official visit to India on Tuesday

Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence, will travel to India on Tuesday to begin an official visit.

Sheikh Hamdan will meet senior officials in New Delhi for talks aimed at furthering partnerships between the nations, Dubai Media Office reported on Monday.

The UAE and India enjoy a deep-rooted friendship, dating back to the formation of the Emirates, a bond that has grown significantly over the years.

More than four million Indians live in the Emirates, making up the largest contingent of foreign residents in the country, while a host of prominent business leaders from India have set up companies in the UAE.

The countries have sought to strengthen links in various fields, including the economy, education and culture.

The Emirates signed its first Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement with India in 2022, pushing bilateral trade between the countries beyond $85 billion. This made India the largest trading partner of the UAE and the Emirates became India's third largest.

The first overseas branch of the famous Indian Institute of Technology engineering college has completed its first year of operation in Abu Dhabi and there are plans to open the first international branch of the Indian Institute of Management in Dubai.

The first hand-carved traditional stone and marble temple in the country, Baps Hindu Mandir in Abu Dhabi, opened to the public in February 2024 and welcomed more than 2.2 million visitors in its first year.

Sheikh Hamdan's visit will be his highest-profile overseas engagement since being appointed Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence in July.

It is the latest official visit made by the UAE's leadership to India to explore ways to strengthen bilateral ties. President Sheikh Mohamed visited India in January of last year to attend a three-day global business summit, during which he also held high-level talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Last September, Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, made an official visit to India in which he held talks with Mr Modi.

Sheikh Hamdan's delegation will include Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed, President of the Dubai Civil Aviation Authority, Chairman of Dubai Airports, and chairman and chief executive of Emirates airline, Mohammed Al Gergawi, Minister of Cabinet Affairs, Reem Al Hashimy, Minister of State for International Co-operation, Abdulla bin Touq, Minister of Economy, and Dr Thani Al Zeyoudi, Minister of State for Foreign Trade.

The delegation also includes senior officials and leaders representing different economic sectors.