PM Modi Hosts Dubai Crown Prince Sheikh Hamdan, Emphasizes Stronger India-UAE Ties
Following his visits to Thailand and Sri Lanka, Prime Minister Narendra Modi welcomed Dubai Crown Prince Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum during the latter’s special visit to India — a move set to further deepen the growing strategic partnership between India and the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
Taking to social media on Tuesday, PM Modi expressed his appreciation for the Crown Prince’s visit, calling it a reaffirmation of the long-standing friendship between the two nations. “Glad to meet HH Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the Crown Prince of Dubai. Dubai has played a key role in advancing the India-UAE Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. This special visit reaffirms our deep-rooted friendship and paves the way for even stronger collaboration in the future,” he posted on X.
Sheikh Hamdan landed in New Delhi earlier in the day, kicking off a two-day official visit to India. After completing his engagements in the capital, he is set to travel to Mumbai for further meetings.
Expressing his enthusiasm for enhancing UAE-India relations, the Crown Prince said their conversations reflected the strong foundation of mutual trust and the joint ambition for a prosperous and innovative future. “It was a pleasure meeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi today in New Delhi. Our conversations reaffirmed the strength of UAE–India ties, which is built on trust, shaped by history, and driven by a shared vision to create a future full of opportunity, innovation, and lasting prosperity,” he wrote on X.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh also held a separate discussion with the visiting dignitary. Describing the interaction as “productive,” Singh highlighted India’s keen interest in expanding defence collaboration with the UAE, especially in areas like joint production, co-development, innovation, and technology.
“Had a productive meeting with the Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy PM and Minister of Defence of UAE Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum in New Delhi. For India, the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership with the UAE is of immense priority,” Singh said. He added that both nations are aligned in their commitment to regional peace and prosperity.
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar also welcomed the Crown Prince, marking the significance of the visit. “Delighted to welcome Crown Prince of Dubai and DPM & Minister of Defence of UAE HH @HamdanMohamme at the start of his first official visit to India,” Jaishankar shared on X, adding that he valued the Crown Prince’s positive outlook on the broad-ranging cooperation between the two countries.
Dubai has historically been a vital link in India’s commercial, cultural, and diaspora relations with the UAE. Of the 4.3 million-strong Indian community living in the Gulf nation, the majority reside and work in Dubai, reinforcing its key role in strengthening people-to-people and economic relations.c
