India–United Arab Emirates relations

India–United Arab Emirates relations

India	United Arab Emirates
Diplomatic mission
Embassy of India, Abu Dhabi	Embassy of the United Arab Emirates, New Delhi
Envoy
Ambassador Sunjay Sudhir	Ambassador Ahmed Al-Banna

India–United Arab Emirates relations are the bilateral relations that exist between the Republic of India and the United Arab Emirates. Since 3000 B.C., India and the UAE, including its precursor emirates, had close relations with ancient trade networks. Sumerians traded with Meluhha (Indus Valley), Magan (UAE and Oman), and Dilmun (Bahrain), connecting through the UAE. Maritime routes facilitated Arab trade with India for silk, spices, gold, and porcelain. Sumerians traded with Meluhha (Indus Valley), Magan (UAE and Oman), and Dilmun (Bahrain), connecting through the UAE. Maritime routes facilitated Arab trade with India for silk, spices, gold, and porcelain. Post-1971, India-UAE relations strengthened politically, economically, and culturally.

They are both in I2U2 Group.^[1] Indians also make up the largest ethnic group in the UAE, making up roughly 38% of UAE's total residents.^[2] India is UAE's largest exports destination & trading partner with bilateral trade turnover of US$68.4 billion during the calendar year 2021. UAE's exports to India stood at US$43.04 billion while India's exports to UAE stood at US$25.4 billion. In 2022 India & UAE signed a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) with an aim of taking bilateral trade to US$100 billion within 5 years.^[3]

India and the UAE have strengthened defense cooperation since 2003, marked by joint exercises like Desert Eagle and Gulf Star-1.The Annual Defense Dialogue and high-level visits have played pivotal roles. Counter-terrorism collaboration, including successful operations against terrorists, has been a focus since 2014. Notably, in December 2020, India and the UAE thwarted a terrorist attack in Delhi.

India and the UAE, since 2014, have deepened ties with various agreements. PM Modi and President Al Nahyan's rapport is highlighted. Future-plans include the first overseas IIT and a Hindu temple in Abu Dhabi, symbolizing harmony, which was inaugurated on February 14, 2024.

History

Early years

Since 3000 B.C, relations between India and the seven emirates which now make up the United Arab Emirates were traditionally close. In ancient times, the Sumerians engaged in a vibrant trade network with three significant centers—Meluhha (most scholars identified as the Indus Valley Civilization, present-day Indian subcontinent), Magan (Oman and parts of the UAE), and Dilmun (Bahrain and parts of Saudi Arabia). Mesopotamian records reveal that Meluhha was a source of coveted goods like ivory and carnelian, while the UAE, particularly through its sheikhdoms, played a crucial role in connecting the trade routes. The seafarers navigated the oceans, enabling the Arabs to trade silk, spices, gold, and porcelain. Notably, the discovery of a direct route from the Red Sea to India by Hippalus in the first century BC enhanced commercial transactions, connecting Red Sea ports to Indian kingdoms. Evidence of this ancient trade persists, with discoveries of valuable goods and spices in Roman settlements along Egypt's Red Sea coast, highlighting the historical ties between India and the UAE.^[4]

The UAE and India enjoyed close and friendly ties based on historic and cultural ties. People-to-people contacts and barter trade for clothes and spices from India in exchange for dates and pearls from the region have existed for centuries.^[5] After the creation of the federation in 1971, India-UAE relations flourished. Today UAE and India share political, economical, and cultural links. There are over a million Indians in the United Arab Emirates, being by far the largest migrant group in the country.

21st century

Prime Minister Narendra Modi being received by Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan

On 16 August 2015, Prime Minister Narendra Modi began a two-day visit to the UAE, the first state visit by an Indian prime minister to the country in 34 years.^[6][7][8] In 2018, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between India and the UAE on Technical Cooperation in the Rail Sector. It provided a platform for Indian Railways to interact and share their latest developments and knowledge in the railway sector.^[9] On 18 August 2018, Modi described Sheikh Mohammed's humanitarian support for those affected by the Kerala floods that year as "[reflecting] the special ties between governments and people of India and UAE".^[10] On 6 August 2019, the UAE backed the decision of the Indian government to pursue passage of the 2019 Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Bill, with the UAE's Ambassador to India stating: "We expect that the changes would improve social justice and security and confidence of the people in the local governance and will encourage further stability and peace."^[11] In August, 2021, UAE and India signed an agreement under which faculty members from Indian universities will spend six to 10 months every year for undertaking research and teaching social sciences in Abu Dhabi. This agreement was aimed at deepening the academic and cultural ties between the two nations.^[12]

In January 2024, Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan visited India to participate in Vibrant Gujarat Summit 2024. As a special gesture PM Modi personally received the UAE president and held a road show in Ahmedabad.^[13]

Economic relations

PM being welcomed by the President of UAE, Mr. Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan at Abu Dhabi Airport, in UAE on June 28, 2022

The UAE is India's top trading partner in entire West Asia and North Africa region. According to journalist Ravi S. Jha, Indian exports to the UAE account for 6% of India's global exports. In 2008–09, India emerged as the largest trade partner of the UAE with bilateral trade between the two countries exceeding $44.5 billion.^[14] In 2018–19, India-UAE bilateral trade grew by over 20% and India's exports to UAE grew by 7% whereas the UAE's exports to India surged by 37% to reach US$29.78 billion.^[15]

Though India and the UAE are two fast-growing economies from Asia, bilateral trade between them has not kept pace with the economic growth in the region, with trade falling to US$49.3 billion in 2016 from about US$67 billion in 2013.^[16] So, during the Indian PM Narendra Modi's visit to the UAE in February 2018, both sides signed a landmark agreement to conduct trade directly in their local currencies eliminating the need for US dollars which would significantly boost trade. Both leaders have also set an ambitious target of US$100 billion in bilateral trade by the year 2020.^[17][18]

An underwater rail tunnel linking the UAE with the western coast of India was proposed in 2018. The proposed tunnel would be supported by pontoons and be nearly 2000 kilometres in length.^[19][20] In the financial year 2018–19, India-UAE bilateral trade grew by over 20% to reach US$59.9 billion. India's exports to UAE grew by 7% to US$30.13 billion whereas UAE's exports to India surged by 37% to reach US$29.78 billion.^[21]

India had a four-story pavilion at Dubai Expo 2020 showcasing business opportunities and its global push towards attracting investors for its projected $5 trillion economy. The pavilion, one of the largest among 190 countries, featured Indian brands and multinational companies, including Reliance Industries and Adani Group. The Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement being negotiated with the UAE was expected to help in sealing at least $100 billion trade. India's rising unicorns and startups were a major attraction for global investors, and at least 13 states participated at the Dubai Expo.^[22] In 2023, the UAE and Saudi Arabia joined BRICS.^[23] At the G20 Summit 2023 a memorandum of understanding on the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor, or IMEC, was signed by the European Union, India, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, the U.S.^[24] 2023 also saw an agreement to allow bilateral trade to use Indian rupees, rather than US dollars.^[25]

Space exploration

India and the UAE have engaged in collaborative efforts in the field of space exploration through the cooperation of the UAE Space Agency (UAESA) and the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO). The collaboration gained momentum during Prime Minister Modi's 2015 visit to the Emirates. The joint initiatives include the development and launch of the nano-satellite Nayif-1 from the Satish Dhavan Space Centre in Sriharikota, India. Furthermore, there is a likelihood of continued collaboration on the Emirates' 'Red Planet Mission.' K. Radhakrishna, former head of ISRO, played a key role in the development of the Emirates’ Mars Hope Probe, which was successfully launched in July 2020 from the Tanegashima Space Centre.^[26]

Security relations

Major General Staff Pilot Ibrahim Nasser M Al Alawi, Commander UAE Air Force & Air Defence calling on the Chief of Army Staff, General Dalbir Singh, in New Delhi on September 01, 2014

Defense cooperation between India and UAE has seen growth since 2003 when the chief of staff of the UAE armed forces visited India. The subsequent exchanges resulted in the initiation of the Desert Eagle bilateral exercises involving the Indian Air Force (IAF) and the UAE Air Force (UAE-AF). These exercises have contributed to enhancing the security preparedness and coordination between India and the UAE. Additionally, the inaugural joint naval exercise, Gulf Star-1,after held in 2018, established a foundation for maritime security cooperation between the two nations. The Annual Defense Dialogue has played a crucial role in fostering defense cooperation, with a Joint Defense Cooperation Committee at the Ministry level and Naval Staff Talks at the HQ level overseeing these efforts. Notably, a substantial delegation from the UAE Ministry of Defense participated in the Aero India event in Bengaluru in February 2019. In December of the same year, India's Vice Chief of Air Staff led a delegation to the 9th Dubai International Air Chiefs’ Conference and Air Show.^[26][27]

Since 2014, India has worked with UAE on various counter-terrorism issues.^[28] On 4 March 2018, the Indian Coast Guard and Emirati special forces collaborated in a successful operation, requested by Emirati Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, and approved by Indian prime minister Narendra Modi, to intercept a yacht carrying Latifa bint Mohammed Al Maktoum.^[29] In December 2020, Indian authorities in coordination with UAE had foiled a Pakistani ISI backed-terrorist attack in Delhi. The arrested terrorists consisted of 2 Khalistani and 3 Hizbul Mujahideen members. The head of the cell was arrested in UAE and deported to India.^[30] Both countries conducted their first military exercise named Desert Cyclone together in Rajasthan on January 4, 2024.^[31]

Cultural relations

See also: Indians in the United Arab Emirates

Visitors at newly constructed BAPS Hindu Mandir at Abu Dhabi.

See also: Hinduism in the United Arab Emirates

In 1975, UAE and India signed an agreement to deepen their cultural ties. Both countries agreed to cooperate in art, culture, and education, including academic activity in science and technology, sports, public health and mass media.^[32]

There are currently over 3 million Indians living in UAE.^[33] Immigration has been highly active since the 1960s. Most of the people who migrated are from the southern states of India.^[34] Since 2014, both countries have signed multiple agreements and have increased their cooperation in various fields. Diplomats have emphasized the bonhomie between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Sheikh Mohamed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan for close cooperation between the countries.^[35] In a joint statement given in February 2022, there was a proposal to establish the first overseas IIT.^[36]

As a symbol of growing relations between the two countries, a BAPS Hindu Mandir is constructed in Abu Dhabi.^[37] The temple has been projected as a symbol of harmony by the two countries. The temple is built by BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha and was inaugurated on February 14, 2024 in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Prior to the inauguration, Prime Minister Modi symbolically offered water in the virtual Ganga and Yamuna rivers within the temple premises.^[38] Emphasizing values of harmony and peace, Prime Minister Modi stated that the BAPS temple stands as a lasting tribute to shared values between India and the UAE. The consecration ceremony took place on a 27-acre plot with the pink sandstone temple being one of the largest in the Middle East.^[39]

References

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