Jaishankar's visit to UAE focuses on strengthening diplomatic and economic cooperation

Abu Dhabi (The Uttam Hindu): External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar arrived in the United Arab Emirates on Thursday for an official visit aimed at further bolstering India-UAE relations. The Consulate General of India in Dubai shared the news on social media platform X, stating that the visit is focused on enhancing bilateral ties and expanding cooperation between the two nations. "External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar has arrived in the UAE for an official visit. Looking forward to further strengthening bilateral ties and enhancing cooperation between our nations," the Consulate General posted on X.

India and the UAE established diplomatic relations in 1972, with the UAE opening its embassy in India that year, and India following suit in 1973. The two countries share strong collaboration within the United Nations and are active members of several plurilateral forums, including BRICS, I2U2 (India-Israel-UAE-USA), and the UAE-France-India (UFI) Trilateral. Notably, the UAE was invited as a guest country to the 2023 G20 Summit held under India's presidency. The bilateral ties between India and the UAE gained significant momentum after Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to the UAE in 2015, the first by an Indian Prime Minister in 34 years. This marked the beginning of a new Comprehensive and Strategic Partnership, which has since seen continued high-level visits. PM Modi visited the UAE five more times, including in November-December 2023 to attend the COP28 World Climate Action Summit in Dubai.

In 2022, the two nations signed the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) during a virtual summit between PM Modi and UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan. UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed has also visited India multiple times, with a notable visit in September 2023 for the G20 Leaders’ Summit. Earlier this year, in June, EAM Jaishankar met with his UAE counterpart, Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, to discuss ways to deepen the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. In addition to his official engagements, Jaishankar also participated in the 10th International Day of Yoga celebrations in Abu Dhabi, alongside Indian Ambassador to the UAE Sunjay Sudhir, leading the event at the Louvre Abu Dhabi.