What happened?
At the invitation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Deputy Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates, will visit India from 8 to 9 April 2025.
This is his first official visit to India as Crown Prince. He will be accompanied by ministers, officials, and a business delegation. The Crown Prince will meet Prime Minister Modi, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh. He will also travel to Mumbai and participate in a business roundtable with Indian and UAE business leaders.
Why it matters to India:
The visit strengthens India’s Comprehensive Strategic Partnership with the UAE. Dubai plays a vital role in India-UAE economic and people-to-people ties, hosting the largest share of the 4.3 million-strong Indian diaspora in the Gulf.
Discussions on trade, investment, and defence will reinforce India’s strategic and commercial linkages with the UAE. The visit also enhances coordination on regional connectivity, logistics, and innovation.