Dubai Crown Prince Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum arrived in New Delhi on Tuesday, April 8.
This marks the start of his first official visit to India, as confirmed by the Dubai Media Office. The two-day visit comes at the invitation of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. It will conclude on Wednesday, April 9.
On the first day, Sheikh Hamdan met with Prime Minister Modi to discuss key areas of cooperation. Their meeting focused on deepening strategic ties between the UAE and India. Later, Sheikh Hamdan shared a post on social media, reflecting on the discussions.
He wrote, “Our discussions affirmed the strength of the UAE-India relationship, a relationship built on trust and shared vision.” Before meeting Modi, Sheikh Hamdan also held talks with India’s External Affairs Minister, Dr. S. Jaishankar. Additionally, he is scheduled to meet Defence Minister Rajnath Singh later in the day.
Upon arrival in New Delhi, Sheikh Hamdan received a warm welcome at the airport. Suresh Gopi, India’s Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas and Tourism greeted him.
In a video shared by ANI, the two were seen exchanging respectful greetings with hands clasped. The Crown Prince walked a red carpet and Indian officials saluted him. On the second day, April 9, Sheikh Hamdan will travel to Mumbai.
There, he will attend a business roundtable with top business leaders from both countries. This roundtable aims to explore new investment opportunities and expand UAE-India economic ties. The visit underscores both nations’ shared commitment to long-term collaboration.
Sheikh Hamdan keeping Legacy
Over the years, UAE-India relations have grown stronger under Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed and Prime Minister Modi. In early 2024, the UAE President attended the Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit as chief guest.
Similarly, in September 2023, Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Sheikh Khaled visited India on an official trip. He met with PM Modi and visited Rajghat to pay tribute to Mahatma Gandhi.
Dubai continues to serve as a vital link between the two nations. It plays a key role in trade, culture, and people-to-people exchange. As of 2024, nearly 4 million Indians reside in the UAE.
This growing community reflects the deep-rooted ties between the two countries.
