Crown Prince Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum of Dubai arrived in New Delhi on Tuesday for a two-day official visit aimed at deepening India-UAE relations.
He was accorded a ceremonial guard of honour upon arrival at Palam Airport, where Union Minister of State for Tourism and Petroleum & Natural Gas, Suresh Gopi, received him. A cultural musical performance was also held in his honour.
In a post on X, Randhir Jaiswal, spokesperson for the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), described the visit as a “significant milestone” in India-UAE relations.
“Dubai to Delhi! A significant milestone in India-UAE relations. HH Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai @HamdanMohammed arrived in New Delhi on his first official visit. Welcomed with a ceremonial Guard of honour & received by MoS @TheSureshGopi at the airport,” Jaiswal wrote.
The Crown Prince is visiting India at the invitation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. This marks his first official trip to India in his capacity as Crown Prince. He is accompanied by a high-level delegation comprising senior UAE ministers and prominent business leaders.
Later on Tuesday, Prime Minister Modi will host a working lunch in honour of the Crown Prince. The two leaders are expected to hold high-level discussions focused on expanding cooperation across key sectors including trade, defense, and diplomacy.
In addition to his meeting with the Prime Minister, Sheikh Hamdan will hold talks with External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and Defense Minister Rajnath Singh. These meetings are likely to address regional security, defense collaboration, and other strategic priorities.
Following his engagements in New Delhi, the Crown Prince will travel to Mumbai, where he will participate in a business roundtable with Indian and Emirati business leaders. The event will explore opportunities for greater trade and investment—especially in infrastructure, energy, fintech, innovation, and sustainability—aiming to forge a forward-looking economic partnership.
India and the UAE share a longstanding relationship shaped by deep cultural and commercial ties. Dubai serves as a vital hub for Indian businesses and is home to a significant Indian diaspora—around 4.3 million strong—many of whom reside in Dubai.
Formal diplomatic relations between India and the UAE were established in 1972. Since Prime Minister Modi’s landmark visit to the UAE in 2015, bilateral engagement has expanded considerably, with the UAE emerging as a key economic and strategic partner in the region.
