External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar on Tuesday extended a warm welcome to HH Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, as he began his first official visit to India. In a post on X, Jaishankar praised the Crown Prince’s “positive sentiments” and reaffirmed the strength of the wide-ranging India-UAE partnership.
“Delighted to welcome Crown Prince of Dubai and DPM & Minister of Defence of UAE HH @HamdanMohammed at the start of his first official visit to India. Value his positive sentiments for our wide-ranging cooperation and vibrant ties,” Jaishankar wrote.
The Crown Prince, who also serves as Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence of the UAE, is visiting India from April 8–9, 2025, at the invitation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. His arrival in New Delhi was marked by a ceremonial guard of honour and a reception by Union Minister of State Suresh Gopi.
Accompanied by senior ministers, top officials, and business leaders, the visit underscores the expanding strategic and economic partnership between India and the UAE.
During his visit, the Crown Prince will engage in high-level discussions in New Delhi and later travel to Mumbai to participate in a business roundtable with top Indian and Emirati business leaders. The agenda includes discussions on trade, infrastructure, energy, fintech, sustainability, and innovation—sectors central to both nations’ economic futures.
India and the UAE share deep-rooted cultural and commercial ties, further cemented by a vibrant Indian diaspora of over 4.3 million in the UAE, with a large portion residing in Dubai. Since the establishment of formal diplomatic relations in 1972—and particularly following Prime Minister Modi’s 2015 visit—bilateral cooperation has grown significantly across sectors.
The Crown Prince’s visit is expected to provide fresh momentum to the India-UAE Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, while reinforcing strong people-to-people connections and fostering a forward-looking economic alliance.