Deepening the ties
President of the United Arab Emirates and Ruler of Abu Dhabi Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan came on an official visit to India on January 19. The Joint Statement issued on the conclusion of his three and a half hour long stay in Delhi noted “This was the fifth visit of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan to India in the last ten years and his third official visit to India as the President of the UAE”. On his part Prime Minister Narendra Modi has visited the UAE on seven occasions, the last being in 2024. It is clear that the two leaders have the conviction that the interests of India and the UAE coincide. Hence, their careful nurturing of the bilateral relationship since the time both of them began to helm their countries in 2014.
Sheikh Mohamed became Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi in 2004. That was the year his father, Sheikh Zayed bin Mohammed, who can be called the founder of UAE, died. Sheikh Zayed became Abu Dhabi’s ruler in 1966. Four years earlier large oil deposits were found in Abu Dhabi. That held the prospect of transforming the Emirate but it required a sagacious ruler to handle the great wealth which was to pour in. He was one.
This was also the time when the British had decided to end their protectorates over the Trucial States. Abu Dhabi was one of them. Before departing they wanted to form a federation of these states. Eventually seven—Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, Ras-al-Khaimah, Umm ul Quwain, Ajman and Fujairah-- agreed to form one. Thus, the UAE was formed as an independent country on December 2, 1971 with Sheikh Zayed as its President. Abu Dhabi was the leading emirate. It is oil reserves are currently the sixth largest in the world and its gas reserves are seventh. On its strength it has acquired enormous capital reserves.
Sheikh Zayed wanted close ties with India. He also had admiration for Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. She paid an official visit to the UAE in 1981. The Joint Statement issued during the visit noted that the security of India and the UAE were linked. That reflected the vision of the two leaders. They saw bilateral relations going beyond hydrocarbons and the remittances sent by expatriate Indians working in the country.
During that period Sheikh Mohammed was a young person who had returned after doing a military course in Britain. He was earning the reputation of being a serious and far seeing person who could one day be an able successor of Sheikh Zayed. It was felt by many in Abu Dhabi that he would take forward Sheikh Zayed’s vision. He has done so since taking over the reins of government after his brother Sheikh Khalifa suffered a stroke; he became President on Sheikh Khalifa’s death in 2022.
For India Sheikh Mohammed’s ascension to the top of the UAE leadership has been good because he is committed to cementing the India-UAE relationship like Sheikh Zayed wanted to do. In the past ten years bilateral ties have reached the level of a “Comprehensive Strategic Partnership”. There are four aspects of the growing partnership that deserve special mention. These are trade, investments, science and technology cooperation and the defence relationship.
Bilateral trade is currently at US $ 100 billion. India imports UAE hydrocarbons and there is an enduring partnership in this sector. UAE is an entrepot and a transhipment point for Indian goods. It is important for this to continue. UAE itself absorbs considerable Indian exports. UAE has large sovereign funds. As India’s economy is growing its attraction for investment from these is also growing. The Joint Statement noted that the leaders “welcomed discussions on a potential UAE partnership for the development of the Special Investment Region in Dholera, Gujarat”. It should be the endeavour of Indian authorities to make this investment successful so that it can become the model for other investments.
UAE wishes to develop it as a hub for advanced science and technology. The Joint Commission stated the desire to intensify “collaboration in science and technology and innovation, especially in the areas of artificial intelligence (AI) and emerging technologies. Welcoming the decision to collaborate on the establishment of a supercomputing cluster in India, they [the two leaders] also agreed to explore cooperation in setting up data centres in India”. This is a most promising area for cooperation.
On defence the two sides “acknowledged steady and strong bilateral defence and security cooperation as a core pillar of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. They [the leaders] welcomed the momentum generated by the recent exchange of visits by the respective Service Chiefs and Commanders of the Army, Navy and Air Force of both countries, and the successful conduct of bilateral military exercises”.
Significantly, while Sheikh Mohamed’s visit was very brief Modi broke protocol to receive him very warmly. Mohammed also came with a strong delegation which signalled that the UAE leadership as a whole wishes to enhance the already strong ties with India. That desire is reciprocated by India.
It is also noteworthy that Sheikh Mohammed’s visit took place at a time when the UAE is locked in tension with Saudi Arabia over differences on Yemen. Sheikh Mohammed enjoyed a close relationship with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman but now elements of competition arising from differing regional priorities of the two countries have caused friction. The UAE leadership has been successful imbued the country in a span of half a century from backwardness to have elements of modernity. It is also attempting to show openness and tolerance. And, it is not willing to be a blind follower of the Saudis. That lies at the base of present contentions.
