Official visit of Minister of State for External Affairs, M.J. Akbar to the United Arab Emirates (10-11 April 2017)
Minister of State for External Affairs, M.J. Akbar is paying an official visit to the UAE from 10-11 April 2017.
During the visit, he will be meeting his UAE counterparts and other UAE leadership and hold official discussions covering the entire gamut of bilateral, regional and international matters of mutual interest. He will take this opportunity to also address the annual Forum for the UAE’s Ambassadors being held in Abu Dhabi.
India enjoys close and multifaceted bilateral ties with the UAE, anchored on regular high-level visits and extensive people-to-people contacts. The recent visits of Prime Minister, Narendra Modi to the UAE in August 2015 and His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi to India in February 2016 and subsequently as the Chief Guest at the Republic Day celebrations during January 2017 have elevated the relationship to a comprehensive strategic partnership.
Our well-balanced bilateral trade amounting to around US$ 50 billion makes UAE our third largest trading partner while for the UAE we have been the largest trading partner. The UAE is among the largest investors in India in terms of foreign direct investments. It contributes significantly to India’s energy security and has been the fifth largest supplier of crude oil to India in 2015-16.
About 2.6 million strong and vibrant Indian community forms the largest expatriate group in the UAE. Their positive and well-appreciated contribution in the development of their host country has been an important anchor of our excellent bilateral engagement.
This visit will provide a useful opportunity to further cement our mutually beneficial bilateral ties with the UAE.
