The Indian community in the UAE came together on Sunday morning to celebrate the 76th Indian Republic Day with spirited ceremonies at the Indian Embassy in Abu Dhabi and the Consulate in Dubai. Indian Ambassador to the UAE, Sunjay Sudhir, unfurled the tricolour at the embassy, while Consul General Satish Kumar Sivan hoisted the national flag at the consulate. Both diplomats read excerpts from President Droupadi Murmu’s Republic Day address, reflecting themes of pride and patriotism.
Hundreds of Indian expatriates attended the events, waving the tricolour, singing the national anthem, and participating in patriotic songs. Dressed in India’s national colours, people of all ages gathered to honour their homeland and the Indian Constitution, which came into effect 76 years ago. With nearly 4 million Indian expatriates—the largest expat community in the UAE—the celebrations highlighted the unity and cultural richness of the subcontinent.
Speaking at the Indian Embassy in Abu Dhabi, Indian Ambassador Sunjay Sudhir reflected on the evolving India-UAE partnership, describing it as a model relationship. “India and UAE bilateral relations are undergoing rapid and positive transformation, guided by the vision of the leadership on both sides. Mutual trust and respect have broadened and deepened our ties, making this relationship stand apart,” he said.
He highlighted significant milestones of the past year, including Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s three visits to the UAE in the last 18 months and UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed’s visits to India. Ambassador Sudhir noted that PM Modi’s attendance at CoP28, where he was the only world leader to address the Opening Plenary Session, exemplified India’s growing stature on the global stage. He also reflected on the visit of Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed Al Nahyan to India, underscoring the continuity of generational ties between the two nations.
Speaking at the Indian Consulate in Dubai, Consul General Satish Kumar Sivan acknowledged the invaluable contributions of the Indian diaspora in the UAE. “Here in the Emirates, we have a strong community of nearly 4 million Indian nationals who have been the pillar in the India-UAE bilateral partnership. Through your hard work and dedication, you have earned the admiration and respect of the Emirati population, creating immense goodwill for our country. The community in the UAE is the second-largest contributor to foreign exchange remittances into India, which reached a record $125 billion last year,” he said.
He also emphasized the deepening ties between India and the UAE, describing their relationship as rooted in mutual trust and respect. Highlighting future opportunities for collaboration, he pointed to key sectors such as digital technology, healthcare, space exploration, renewable energy, and advanced technologies, including AI, IoT, and Blockchain. He also revealed a joint effort to create a Hindi Large Language Model, calling it a revolutionary initiative.
Patriotic fervour was further ignited through cultural performances by the Indian diaspora at the Indian missions in the UAE. Adding to the celebratory spirit, the cultural exhibition “Colours of India – Rang”, organized by the Funun Arts Group, was unveiled on the eve of Republic Day. The third edition of this exhibition featured artwork by Indian artists, reflecting themes of cultural and national significance.This year’s Republic Day theme, “Swarnim Bharat: Virasat aur Vikas” , emphasized India’s rich cultural heritage and its developmental journey.
