Dubai Crown Prince Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed Al Maktoum has arrived in New Delhi for a two-day state visit, his first official trip to India, at the invitation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Sheikh Hamdan was greeted with a ceremonial guard of honor and the vibrant beats of traditional Kerala drummers. He was received by Suresh Gopi, Minister of State for Petroleum and Natural Gas and Tourism.

The visit marks a key moment in the UAE–India Comprehensive Strategic Partnership and is expected to strengthen the growing economic and diplomatic ties between Dubai and India.

Sheikh Hamdan is accompanied by a high-level delegation comprising ministers, senior government officials, and business leaders. During his visit, he held meetings with External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh.

Dr. Jaishankar welcomed the Crown Prince’s positive outlook on the expanding cooperation between the two nations, while Singh described their discussion as “productive,” emphasizing the importance of defense collaboration and joint development projects. He reaffirmed India’s commitment to advancing regional peace and prosperity in partnership with the UAE.

Grateful for the warm welcome in New Delhi and the meaningful discussions with @rajnathsingh and @DrSJaishankar. From defence to diplomacy, the UAE and India share a dynamic and strategic partnership. Together, we look forward to shaping a more secure and prosperous region. pic.twitter.com/iYuGJ3z98e

— Hamdan bin Mohammed (@HamdanMohammed) April 8, 2025

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… pic.twitter.com/lit9nWQKyu

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) April 8, 2025

In a post on X, Sheikh Hamdan described his meeting with Prime Minister Modi as a reaffirmation of the strength of UAE–India relations, calling them “built on trust, shaped by history, and driven by a shared vision for a future full of opportunity, innovation, and lasting prosperity.”

On Wednesday, Sheikh Hamdan will travel to Mumbai to attend a business roundtable with leading industry figures from both countries, focused on boosting cooperation across traditional and emerging sectors.

Dubai continues to play a pivotal role in India’s commercial, cultural, and diaspora ties with the UAE. Of the estimated 4.3 million Indians living in the UAE, the majority are based in Dubai.

The UAE is India’s third-largest trading partner and second-largest export destination, with bilateral trade reaching $83.62 billion in FY2023–24. Since the implementation of the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) in May 2022, tariffs on more than 80% of traded goods have been reduced, aiming to boost non-oil trade to $100 billion within five years.

Following CEPA, UAE investments in India have surged, with cumulative FDI reaching $18.5 billion as of March 2024.

Recalling his visit to the UAE last year for the World Government Summit in Dubai, Prime Minister Modi extended warm regards to UAE President Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and Dubai Ruler Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum. He also expressed gratitude to the UAE leadership for their continued support of the Indian diaspora.