Perception of India shifts in UAE as trade hits $80 billion: Jaishankar

Jaishankar Highlights India-UAE Bond, Economic Growth in Surat Address

Addressing a gathering at an event in Surat on Monday, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar offered profound insights into the evolving perception of India within the United Arab Emirates (UAE) over the past decade. Jaishankar highlighted the significant shift in the UAE’s perception of India, emphasizing the deepening of ties between the two nations, as evidenced by the remarkable surge in bilateral trade, which has now soared to approximately $80 billion.

Over the course of his address, Jaishankar elucidated on the pivotal developments that have characterized the bilateral relationship between India and the UAE. Notably, he underscored the historical significance of the free trade agreement signed between the two countries and the consequential acceptance of India’s request to build a temple in the UAE. These milestones, Jaishankar emphasized, are emblematic of the growing mutual trust and cooperation between India and the UAE.

Furthermore, Jaishankar shed light on the transformative impact of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to the UAE in 2016, which marked a watershed moment in bolstering diplomatic ties and fostering closer engagement between the two nations. He emphasized that such high-level engagements have played a pivotal role in strengthening bilateral relations and opening new avenues for cooperation across various sectors.

The external affairs minister also delved into India’s remarkable economic trajectory, highlighting its ascent to becoming one of the top five economies globally. With projections pointing towards India’s imminent rise to become the third-largest economy in the world, Jaishankar underscored the nation’s robust economic fundamentals and its potential to emerge as a $30 trillion economy in the next 25 years.

Expanding on the theme of India’s progress, Jaishankar shared an insightful anecdote from a visit to Jaipur airport, where he received French President Emmanuel Macron. He underscored the unprecedented growth in India’s aviation infrastructure, citing the doubling of the number of airports over the past decade and the impressive rate of new airport construction annually. Such developments, Jaishankar noted, are a testament to India’s commitment to enhancing connectivity and fostering economic growth across regions.

Jaishankar’s comprehensive address provided a nuanced understanding of India’s evolving diplomatic relations, economic prowess, and infrastructural development. It underscored India’s emergence as a global economic powerhouse and its steadfast commitment to fostering mutually beneficial partnerships with countries across the world, including the UAE.