Crown Prince of Dubai Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed Concludes First Official Visit to India and 8 MoUs Signed to Boost Bilateral Ties.
National
Crown Prince of Dubai and United Arab Emirates (UAE)'s Deputy Prime Minister (Dy PM) and Defence Minister, Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, paid his first two-day official visit to India from 8th to 9th April 2025. The visit was in response to an invitation extended by Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi.
- The Crown Prince arrived in India accompanied by senior officials, ministers, and business leaders, and was accorded a ceremonial Guard of Honour upon his arrival.
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi welcomed the Crown Prince at his residence on Lok Kalyan Marg, New Delhi. During the meeting, PM Modi presented Sheikh Hamdan with a replica of the traditional cloak worn by the Sheikh’s grandfather.
- Both leaders engaged in discussions to deepen the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (CSP), enhance cultural ties, and promote cooperation in key areas such as defence, trade, technology, space, and connectivity.
Main Point :- (i) The Indian Institute of Foreign Trade (IIFT), based in New Delhi, is set to establish its first overseas campus at the India Pavilion in Expo City, Dubai. This marks a significant step in bolstering India-UAE educational collaboration. The move follows the 2024 launch of the first Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) campus in the Middle East, located in Abu Dhabi, Dubai.
(ii) The construction of Bharat Mart has commenced, alongside the unveiling of its 3D (Three-Dimensional) model. Additional announcements were made regarding the Virtual Trade Corridor (VTC) and the MAITRI platform (Market Access and Information through Technology for Responsive International Trade). These initiatives highlight the robust trade relationship between India and the UAE under the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA).
(iii) India-UAE bilateral trade is projected to surpass USD 97 billion, moving closer to the USD 100 billion non-oil trade target.
About United Arab Emirates (UAE)
President: Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed bin Al Nahyan
Capital: Abu Dhabi
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