In a moving sign of the ancient association between India and the United Arab Emirates, Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister, and UAE Minister of Defence, gifted Prime Minister Narendra Modi a replica of his grandfather Sheikh Rashid's bisht when they met in New Delhi on Tuesday.
The intricately embroidered cloak, which is conventionally worn over a Qandura by Arab men, symbolizes the long-standing political and generational friendship between the two countries.
Prime Minister Modi welcomed Sheikh Hamdan for a working lunch at his official residence at Lok Kalyan Marg. During the session, PM Modi presented his warm greetings to UAE President Mohamed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan and Prime Minister of UAE and Ruler of Dubai Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum. He also presented his heartfelt best wishes to the Crown Prince following the recent birth of his daughter, Hind bint Hamdan, in a statement made by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA).
Sheikh Hamdan is on his first official tour to India as Crown Prince of Dubai. He was accompanied by a senior delegation of ministers, high-ranking officials, and business executives.
Prime Minister Modi tweeted on social media platform X:
"Delighted to receive HH Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai. Dubai has been at the forefront in taking forward the India-UAE Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. This special visit reaffirms our very strong friendship and opens up avenues for even greater cooperation in the times to come."
The two leaders exchanged in-depth views on further expanding the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, paying special emphasis on strengthening people-to-people connect and cultural relations between Dubai and India.
In the morning earlier, Sheikh Hamdan received Defence Minister Rajnath Singh with the purpose of examining options to enhance strategic defence and security relations between Dubai and India.
For India, the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership with the UAE is of paramount importance. Over the next few years, we look forward to cooperating closely on issues like defence cooperation, co-production and co-development initiatives, innovation and technology," Singh tweeted on X. "India and the UAE are determined to work towards regional peace and prosperity," he continued.
External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar also met the visiting dignitary, highlighting the strong and fast-growing partnership in various sectors.
In a heartwarming moment on the visit, Sheikh Hamdan presented PM Modi with an original 1984 newspaper clipping describing his father Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum's efforts to save Indian Airlines Flight 421 passengers—a poignant reminder of the long-standing goodwill between the two nations.
Subsequently, the Crown Prince visited Mumbai for a high-profile business meeting with Minister of Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal. The two went through the progress of the India-UAE Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), which has immensely boosted bilateral trade.
"They touched upon the role of CEPA in the surge in bilateral trade," the MEA stated. "Specifically, the work on the Virtual Trade Corridor (VTC), and how it would ease bilateral trade and serve as a foundation for the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEEC), was recognized."
Goyal welcomed fresh MoUs and business announcements made during the visit, hoping that they would assist in taking the economic partnership to unprecedented levels.
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