India–United Arab Emirates relations

Since 3000 B.C, relations between India and the seven emirates which now make up the United Arab Emirates were traditionally close. The UAE and India had enjoyed close and friendly ties based on historic and cultural ties. People-to-people contacts and barter trade for clothes and spices from India in exchange for dates and pearls from the region have existed for centuries.[3] After the creation of the Federation in 1971, India-UAE relations flourished. Today UAE and India share political, economical and cultural links. There are over a million Indians in the United Arab Emirates, being by far the largest migrant group in the country.^[1] A large Indian expatriate community resides and engages in the UAE in economically productive activities and has played a significant role in the evolution of the UAE. However, many incidents concerning India's expatriate workforce in the UAE, have caused friction in Indo-Emirati relations.^{[citation needed]}

UAE and India enjoy historic ties with as many as 2.5 million economic migrant workers of Indian origin residing in the oil-rich gulf state. Indians also make up the largest ethnic group in the UAE making up roughly 27% of the total UAE`s residents. These economic migrants over the years have also made a significant economic contribution to India in the form of remittances worth billions of dollars.[4]

On 4 March 2018, the Indian Coast Guard and Emirati special forces collaborated in a successful operation, requested by UAE Prime Minister, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, and approved by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, to intercept a yacht carrying Latifa bint Mohammed Al Maktoum (II).[5]

On 18 August 2018, Modi described Sheikh Mohammed's humanitarian support for those affected by the 2018 Kerala floods as "[reflecting] the special ties between governments and people of India and UAE".[6] On 6 August 2019, the UAE backed the decision of the Indian government to pursue passage of the 2019 Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Bill, with the UAE's Ambassador to India stating: "We expect that the changes would improve social justice and security and confidence of the people in the local governance and will encourage further stability and peace."[7]

The UAE has expressed its interest to invest in India's agriculture]. Besides, the UAE, which is India's top trading partner in the entire West Asia North Africa (WANA) region, as it alone represents 75 per cent of India's export to GCC nations, has seriously taken forward the relations with India. Leading Indian journalist and an expert on India's relations with the Middle-East, Ravi S Jha says, Indian exports to the UAE account for 6 per cent of India's global exports. The relations between the two countries are expected to flourish with Indian Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh's visit to Abu Dhabi in March, 2013.[8]

In 2008-09, India emerged as the largest trade partner of the UAE with bilateral trade between the two countries exceeding US$44.5 billion. [9] UAEand India are each other's main trading parthers. The trade totals over $75 billion (AED275.25 billion).[10]

Though India & UAE are two fast growing economies from Asia bilateral trade between them has not kept pace with the economic growth in the region, with trade falling to US$49.3 billion in 2016 from about US$67 billion in 2013.[11] So, during the Indian PM Narendra Modi's visit to the UAE in February 2018, both sides signed a landmark agreement to conduct trade directly in their local currencies eliminating the need for US dollars which would significantly boost trade. Both leaders have also set an ambitious target of US$100 billion in bilateral trade by the year 2020.[12]

Over the last few years, India has also worked with UAE on various counter terrorism issues. The UAE has deported many potential terrorists and neutralized many cells belonging to Indians who wanted to join the Islamic State since its formation in 2014. Moreover, it has signed many MoU's with India as well on CT co-operation to ensure better controls of terror financing and deportations. Some of these changes are due to increased economic relations and the reducing role of the US in the Gulf region resulting in Gulf nations taking more interest in countries like India, Russia and China due to their potential to become security providers in the region. [13]

On 16 August 2015, Prime Minister Narendra Modi began a two-day visit to the UAE, the first state visit by an Indian Prime Minister to the country in 34 years. Prime Minister of India Shri Narendra Modi visited the United Arab Emirates from 16–17 August 2015 at the invitation of His Highness Crown Prince Mohamed Bin Zayed AI Nahyan.[14] In a break from protocol which would have seen only the UAE Foreign Minister, Sheikh Abdullah, receive dignitaries, Crown Prince Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, along with his five brothers, was also present to receive Modi.[15] The aim of the visit was to increase bilateral cooperation in energy and trade, and market India as an attractive business destination.[16]

The Union Cabinet has approved a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between India and United Arab Emirates (UAE) on Technical Cooperation in the Rail Sector. The MoU was signed in February 2018 with Federal Transport Authority – Land & Maritime of UAE. The MoU will provide platform to Indian Railways to interact and share latest developments and knowledge in the railway sector. It will facilitate exchange of information, expert meetings, technical visits and implementation of jointly agreed cooperation projects between both countries. The MoU will enable technical cooperation in following areas:

1. Regulation, safety and technical investigation of accidents.
2. Station redevelopment.
3. Locomotives, coaches and wagons.
4. Any other area jointly identified by both countries in future.[17]