UAE-India: More than just bilateral relations

The two countries are not just building economic synergies but also fostering a shared future of innovation, sustainability, and global leadership

- Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan is minister of foreign affairs and a deputy prime minister of the United Arab Emirates. The views expressed are personal

In an era of global uncertainty, the United Arab Emirates (UAE)-India partnership stands as a paragon of stability and progress. Our relationship, built on shared values and mutual respect, has evolved into a comprehensive strategic alliance that transcends mere economic cooperation. It is a partnership that envisions a future of shared prosperity, innovation, and global leadership.

The year 2024 has been pivotal in cementing this extraordinary bond. High-level visits, including those of UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan to India in January, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan in September, and Indian Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi to the UAE, underscore the depth of our commitment. These exchanges have not only reinforced our shared vision but have also paved the way for groundbreaking collaborations.

The UAE has proudly upheld a "legacy of diplomacy" in its relationship with India, symbolized by the visits of three generations of UAE leaders. This tradition began with the late Sheikh Zayed, the founding father of the UAE, who visited India in 1992 and planted an amaltas sapling (Cassia fistula) at the Mahatma Gandhi Mausoleum in New Delhi. In 2016, Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed followed this gesture with the planting of a molshri (Mimusops elengi) sapling, and this year, Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed planted an amaltas sapling, further strengthening this legacy. Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed is the third-generation leader from the UAE to plant a sapling at Rajghat, reflecting the UAE's enduring commitment to this historic partnership.