The Arab world, known for its traditional monarchical governance and Islamic customs, is witnessing a change in leadership. A new breed of youthful leaders, nurtured in opulence, are emerging with a fresh perspective on international affairs. They are reshaping their nations to meet global challenges with innovative policies.
Modernization, tourism development, and a progressive stance on religion and culture are central to their agenda. These leaders aim to prepare their countries for the 21st century away from oil-restricted economies.
In line with this vision, Dubai's Crown Prince, Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, is currently on an official visit to India at Prime Minister Narendra Modi's invitation. As the UAE's Defence Minister, 42-year-old Sheikh Hamdan is an influential figure.
India has historically maintained friendly ties with Arab leaders, considering its energy needs and significant diaspora. It now seeks to engage with this new wave of Arab leadership, anticipated to be in power in a decade or two.
Forging connections with youthful figures like Dubai's Sheikh Hamdan, Abu Dhabi's Sheikh Khalid, and Saudi Arabia's Prince Salman is a part of India's strategic play.
These princes symbolize a forward-thinking generation that challenges traditions, embracing technology and global collaboration while adopting a progressive view on religion beyond extremism.
Arriving for his first official visit to India on April 8, Sheikh Hamdan will be accompanied by ministers, senior officials, and a high-profile business delegation. The visit includes a working lunch hosted by Prime Minister Modi, and meetings with Foreign Minister Dr. S Jaishankar and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh.
In the evening, Sheikh Hamdan will head to Mumbai to attend a business roundtable meeting with key business leaders, aimed at enhancing economic and trade cooperation between India and the UAE.
Source: aajtak
The Indian Ministry of External Affairs acknowledges Dubai’s pivotal role in fostering Indo-UAE business, cultural exchanges, and person-to-person connections. A large portion of the 4.3 million Indian expatriates in the UAE reside in Dubai. The Crown Prince’s visit will further reinforce the comprehensive strategic partnership between India and the UAE.
India and the UAE have strong trade ties, with bilateral trade reaching nearly 85 billion USD in 2022-2023. The UAE remains one of the top sources of foreign investment in India. Business forums in Delhi and Mumbai during Sheikh Hamdan's visit showcase India’s desire to collaborate with Arab leaders in fintech, sustainability, and infrastructure.
As UAE's Defence Minister, Sheikh Hamdan's visit also explores defense partnerships. Talks about significant joint defense projects were initiated during a committee meeting in Abu Dhabi in July 2024. India seeks to boost strategic presence in the Gulf, and this visit is pivotal to those ambitions.
Sheikh Hamdan, recently a father, named his daughter 'Hind', symbolizing a personal connection and cultural admiration for India. In Arabic, 'Hind' refers to the Indian subcontinent, signifying respect and closeness.
Sheikh Hamdan is a social media star with 3.4 million followers on X and over 2.1 million on Facebook, creating a cultural bond with Indian youth through his modern lifestyle.
The naming of his daughter as 'Hind' reflects his and his family's warm sentiments towards India.
His father, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the Ruler of Dubai, UAE's Vice President and Prime Minister, shares a strong rapport with India, with PM Modi visiting him in Dubai last year.
Dubai's Vision for Global Prominence
Under Sheikh Hamdan's leadership, Dubai aims to rank among the top three global cities, a vision India can support through technological expertise and human resources, making this visit crucial.
Among the Arab youth leaders fostering stronger ties with India is Sheikh Khalid bin Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan. As Abu Dhabi’s Crown Prince, his first official India visit took place last September, emphasizing collaboration in investment and energy.
For India, Saudi Arabia is a nation of prime diplomatic focus with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MBS) at the helm. Known for visionary leadership, he has visited India twice, reinforcing ties through joint ventures like the 100 billion USD investment in Reliance Industries' oil refinery projects.
Pragmatic reforms like granting driving licenses to women and opening cinemas, alongside Vision 2030, categorize Prince Salman’s leadership style, strengthening Indo-Saudi relations.
The 3 million Indians in Saudi Arabia further consolidate this partnership.
Sheikh Hamdan, Sheikh Khalid, and Prince Salman represent the new era of Arab leadership, and India is keen on cultivating diplomatic, economic, and cultural alliances with these forward-thinking leaders.
