INDIA-UAE RELATIONSHIP (Syllabus: GS Paper 2 – IR)
Context: India and the United Arab Emirates signed five agreements to boost cooperation in the energy sector and other areas during Abu Dhabi Crown Prince's three-day visit to India, where Prime Minister Narendra Modi held extensive talks.
India-UAE Relationship
- Political Relations: India and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) established diplomatic relations in 1972. While the UAE opened its Embassy in India in 1972, the Indian Embassy in UAE was opened in 1973.
- Multilateral Cooperation: India and the UAE enjoy strong cooperation at the United Nations. Both countries are also currently part of several plurilateral platforms such as BRICS, I2U2 (India-Israel-UAEUSA) and UFI (UAE-France-India) Trilateral, etc. UAE was invited as a Guest Country to the G20 Summit held under India’s Presidency.
- Economic Relation: Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) signed in 2022. UAE is India's third-largest trading partner and second-largest export destination.
oThe UAE was also the fourth largest investor in India in 2023 and the seventh largest source of Foreign Direct Investment overall.
oBilateral trade rising to USD 85 billion in 2022-23.
- Defence Cooperation: It was established in 2003 with the visit of the UAE Chief of Staff to India. Since then, the relationship has evolved, incorporating regular high-level exchanges, joint military exercises, and the establishment of an Annual Defence Dialogue.
oThe JDCC, set up in 2006, has become a pivotal platform for advancing bilateral defence relations.
oMilitary exercises: Desert Cyclone, Air Exercise 'Desert Knight', In-UAE BILAT, Desert Eagle-II, Zayed Talwar and Exercise Desert Flag VIII.
- Cultural Relation: The Indian expatriate community of approximately 3.5 million is the largest ethnic community in UAE constituting roughly about 35% of the country’s population. 15% of the diaspora is in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi and the rest in 6 Northern Emirates including Dubai.
oJoint Commemorative Stamp: A stamp celebrating India's independence, UAE's formation, and bilateral relations was launched in 2022.
oIndia-UAE Cultural Council Forum: Established in 2022, it aims to deepen cultural cooperation and people-to-people interactions.
oThe BAPS Hindu Mandir in Abu Dhabi.
