Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Khaled Bin Mohammed to Visit India to Strengthen Ties

Abu Dhabi: Abu Dhabi’s Crown Prince Khaled bin Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, who is poised to become the next leader of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), is scheduled to visit India early next month. The visit, set for September 8, aims to enhance trade and strategic ties between the two nations.

During his visit, Sheikh Khaled will engage with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other top Indian officials. The focus of the visit will be on fortifying the bilateral relationship, with an emphasis on future-oriented collaborations over the coming decades. While the visit is not expected to result in any formal agreements, it will serve to reaffirm the commitment of both sides to deepen their partnership in various domains, including trade and security.

The visit has not yet been officially announced by either party. It follows a series of high-profile diplomatic exchanges between India and the UAE. Prime Minister Modi has visited the UAE seven times since 2015, reflecting India’s strategic interest in strengthening ties with West Asian powers. UAE President Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, known as MBZ, last visited India in September 2023.

Sheikh Khaled, 42, was appointed as the crown prince of Abu Dhabi in March 2023, making him the presumptive successor to his father, MBZ. This visit marks one of his rare international trips since his appointment, with his only other notable overseas visit being to Malaysia in May 2023.

The visit underscores the importance of solidifying ties between the two nations as they look towards the future. According to sources, the focus will be on expanding the robust relationship already in place and exploring new avenues for collaboration.

Since the implementation of the India-UAE Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) in 2022, bilateral trade has surged to nearly $85 billion in fiscal year 2023. The UAE has become India’s third-largest trade partner, trailing only the US and China, and is also the second-largest destination for Indian exports. Conversely, India ranks as the UAE’s second-largest trade partner, contributing significantly to its non-oil exports.

Projections indicate that non-oil trade between the UAE and India could exceed $100 billion over the next five years. The UAE stands as the seventh-largest investor in India, with foreign direct investment (FDI) inflows amounting to $16.67 billion from April 2000 to September 2023.

A notable aspect of the bilateral relationship is the presence of approximately 3.5 million Indian nationals in the UAE, making up 30% of the UAE’s population. This community plays a crucial role in the UAE’s economy through remittances, which are a significant source of foreign currency for India.

The visit also comes against a backdrop of regional dynamics, with some tension between UAE and Saudi Arabia. This visit underscores the UAE’s strategic positioning as it continues to balance relationships with major global players, including Iran, China, and Russia, while also engaging with Israel—a move facilitated by MBZ’s leadership.