India and the UAE have agreed to strengthen cooperation in defence and coast guard activities. The discussions took place during Dubai Crown Prince Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed Al Maktoum’s visit to India. His visit is a crucial step towards improving bilateral cooperation in key sectors such as trade, technology, and security.
Sheikh Hamdan, the UAE’s Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister, is leading a high-level group of politicians and business leaders. Following his discussion with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the two leaders emphasised Dubai’s role in promoting the India-UAE Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. PM Modi termed the visit as a reaffirmation of the two countries’ longstanding friendship.
During negotiations with Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, all parties agreed to further defence cooperation, including the signing of a MoU between their Coast Guard troops. The leaders emphasised defence industry cooperation, training exchanges, and co-production projects as part of the ‘Make-in-India’ and ‘Make-in-Emirates’ agendas.
Sheikh Hamdan attended the Dubai-India Business Forum in Mumbai, where he met with 200 business leaders. Trade between India and Dubai has increased dramatically, with non-oil trade valued at $54.2 billion in 2023. India remains an important economic partner, with over 70,000 Indian businesses registered with the Dubai Chamber of Commerce.
