UAE foreign minister deepens India ties during Mumbai visit

Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed, who holds the posts of Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, travelled to Mumbai on Monday for a series of high‑level talks with India’s Minister of External Affairs, Dr Subrahmanyam Jaishankar. The meeting formed part of a working visit to India.

High-level talks in Mumbai

The discussions centred on strengthening the historic relationship between the two nations, looking at fresh cooperation in the economy, trade, investment, culture and energy sectors.

He underlined the importance of the UAE‑India bond and outlined how to build on the base created by the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (Cepa), which has been operative since 2022.

Bilateral trade and partnership

Cepa, the first such accord signed by the Emirates, has lifted two‑way trade past the $85 billion mark. Consequently, India ranks as the UAE’s top trading partner, while the UAE stands as India’s third‑largest trading partner.

The two countries share a long‑standing alliance that goes back to the founding of the UAE. Today roughly four million Indian nationals reside in the Emirates, forming the biggest expatriate community there.

Sheikh Abdullah noted that the partnership continues to gather momentum, reinforcing both states as major contributors to worldwide economic growth.

Broader diplomatic engagements

Besides economic matters, the ministers exchanged views on regional and international developments and explored ways to safeguard peace and security, according to the state news agency Wam.

Upon arrival, Sheikh Abdullah was greeted by Mangal Prabhat Lodha, India’s Minister of Skills, Employment, Entrepreneurship and Innovation, together with senior officials. The visit underlined the solidity of the UAE‑India relationship, which has grown markedly in recent years.

In May, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi travelled to the Emirates for an official visit, during which he met President Sheikh Mohamed.

Earlier in the year, President Sheikh Mohamed undertook a working trip to New Delhi in January, where he and Mr Modi agreed to deepen collaboration in fields such as artificial intelligence, the economy and food security, holding their talks at the Prime Minister’s residence.

Mr Modi also made a two‑day stop in the UAE in 2024, addressing a gathering of 40,000 Indian nationals at Zayed Sports City Stadium, speaking at the World Governments Summit in Dubai and opening the first Hindu temple in Abu Dhabi.