Sheikh Hamdan’s Successful Official Visit to India
Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the Crown Prince of Dubai and Deputy Prime Minister of the UAE, has wrapped up his inaugural official visit to India. The trip focused on discussing avenues for enhanced cooperation with Indian officials in key strategic areas.
During this visit, Sheikh Hamdan held discussions with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He conveyed well-wishes from the leadership of the UAE, underscoring the significance of India’s cultural heritage and its populous nature. The Crown Prince emphasized that trade has historically served as a vital link between the two countries.
Key Outcomes of the Visit
The visit resulted in the signing of eight Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) designed to bolster collaboration in various sectors, including infrastructure, healthcare, higher education, maritime services, logistics, and private sector engagement.
These accords build on the existing frameworks established through the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) and the Bilateral Investment Treaty (BIT) from 2022.
The growing economic relations were highlighted by a notable 20% increase in bilateral trade in 2024, reaching AED 240 billion compared to the previous year.
Sheikh Hamdan acknowledged the role of the UAE’s private sector in broadening the country’s global economic connections and applauded local economic bodies for integrating innovative, technology-driven solutions to foster sustainable development.
In addition, Sheikh Hamdan participated in the inauguration of the Dubai International Chamber’s second representative office in India, situated in Bengaluru, and visited the Bombay Stock Exchange, one of the oldest stock exchanges, founded in 1875.
Furthermore, Sheikh Hamdan inaugurated the Nhava Sheva Business Park, a state-of-the-art Free Trade Warehousing Zone developed by DP World in Mumbai, which represents a capital investment exceeding $200 million (AED 735 million). This initiative marks DP World’s third FTWZ in India.
Delegation Highlights
Sheikh Hamdan was accompanied by a delegation including several prominent figures:
- Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, President of the Dubai Civil Aviation Authority
- Mohammad bin Abdullah Al Gergawi, Minister of Cabinet Affairs
- Reem bint Ebrahim Al Hashimy, Minister of State for International Cooperation
- Dr Ahmad Belhoul Al Falasi, Minister of Sports
- Abdulla bin Touq Al Marri, Minister of Economy
- Mohamed bin Hadi Al Hussaini, Minister of State for Financial Affairs
- Omar bin Sultan Al Olama, Minister of State for Artificial Intelligence, Digital Economy, and Remote Work Applications
The delegation also comprised senior officials and leaders from various economic sectors, contributing to the objectives of the visit.