Indian Foreign Secretary Meets UAE Minister to Deepen Strategic Partnership

Indian Foreign Secretary Vinay Kwatra met with UAE Minister of State for International Cooperation Reem Ebrahim Al Hashimy in New Delhi on April 30, 2024. During the meeting, they examined the entire scope of India-UAE bilateral relations and discussed ways to further strengthen the India-UAE Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.

The meeting comes as bilateral trade between India and the UAE has reached $80 billion, and the UAE has recently allowed the construction of the first Hindu temple in Abu Dhabi. The iconic BAPS Hindu Mandir was inaugurated in February 2022.

In the last 10 years, the perception of India has changed in the UAE, which has signed a free trade agreement with India. India and the UAE also signed a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement in 2022 aimed at boosting merchandise trade to $100 billion over the next five years.

Why this matters: The discussion between Indian Foreign Secretary Vinay Kwatra and UAE Minister Reem Al Hashimy highlights the growing strategic partnership between India and the UAE. The construction of the first Hindu temple in Abu Dhabi and the significant increase in bilateral trade underscore the strengthening cultural and economic ties between the two nations.

Foreign Secretary Vinay Kwatra and Minister Reem Al Hashimy examined the India-UAE Comprehensive Strategic Partnership and discussed ways to further strengthen the bilateral relations. The construction of the first Hindu temple in Abu Dhabi is seen as a significant development in strengthening the cultural and people-to-people ties between the two countries.

Key Takeaways

• Indian, UAE officials discussed strengthening strategic partnership.
• India-UAE bilateral trade reached $80 billion, FTA signed.
• First Hindu temple inaugurated in Abu Dhabi, UAE in 2022.
• India, UAE signed Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement in 2022.
• Discussions focused on expanding cultural, economic ties between nations.