Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to undertake an important visit to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) this week, as part of his broader diplomatic tour that also includes a trip to France.
On July 13, the Prime Minister will be in France, where he will serve as the chief guest at the Bastille Day parade.
This will be PM Modi’s fifth visit to the Gulf country since assuming office in 2014, highlighting the growing significance of the bilateral relationship between India and the UAE.
His previous visits to the UAE took place in June 2022, August 2019, February 2018, and August 2015.
During his last visit in June 2022, Prime Minister Modi met Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the President and ruler of Abu Dhabi, to offer condolences on the passing of former President Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan.
This gesture demonstrated the strengthening personal bond between the leaders and their shared commitment to further enhance ties between India and the UAE.
The Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) signed between India and the UAE last year has played a significant role in boosting bilateral trade.
In the past year, the agreement has had a notable impact on India’s exports to the UAE, encompassing both oil and non-oil products. The trade volume between the two nations has reached historic levels, surging from $72.9 billion in the fiscal year 2021-2022 to $84.5 billion in the fiscal year 2022-2023, representing a remarkable year-on-year increase of 16 percent.
Furthermore, defense collaboration between India and the UAE has experienced steady growth. Regular high-level exchanges, including meetings of service chiefs, functional-level engagements, and military education exchanges, have contributed to strengthening bilateral defense cooperation.
Both countries have regularly conducted joint naval exercises and port visits, fostering mutual trust and camaraderie among their armed forces. An annual defense dialogue provides a platform to discuss and enhance security and defense cooperation between India and the UAE.
