Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri recently concluded a series of meetings with top officials in the United Arab Emirates, signaling a strong commitment to strengthening the already robust bilateral partnership between India and the UAE. The discussions, held in Abu Dhabi, centered on reviewing the progress of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership and identifying new avenues for collaboration across various sectors.
On June 11, 2025, Misri met with UAE Minister of State for International Cooperation, Reem Al Hashimy. According to reports, the meeting served as a mid-year review of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, with both sides taking stock of the current state of bilateral relations. Discussions focused on how to further deepen ties and explore opportunities for future partnerships. The Indian Embassy in the UAE shared updates on the meeting through social media, highlighting the "growing and expanding" nature of the strategic partnership.
In addition to Minister Al Hashimy, the Foreign Secretary also met with Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, the UAE's Minister of Tolerance and Coexistence. During this meeting, Misri conveyed his gratitude for the warm reception extended to the recent All-Party Parliamentary delegation from India. The discussions underscored the shared values of harmony and tolerance that form a strong foundation for the relationship between the two countries. Both sides emphasized the importance of these values in fostering closer ties and promoting mutual understanding.
Another significant meeting took place with Ali Rashid Al Nuaimi, Chairman of the Defence Affairs, Interior and Foreign Affairs Committee of the Federal National Council of the UAE. During this meeting, both sides reaffirmed their commitment to combating terrorism in all its forms and manifestations. They also explored opportunities to enhance parliamentary cooperation between India and the UAE. This meeting is particularly noteworthy given the recent security challenges faced by India and the UAE's strong support in addressing these issues.
These high-level meetings underscore the strategic importance of the India-UAE relationship, which extends beyond trade and culture to encompass security and strategic interests. The UAE has consistently expressed solidarity with India in the face of security threats, with Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan previously stating that the two countries would tackle terrorism together. This commitment to counter-terrorism cooperation was further solidified during Foreign Secretary Misri's visit.
The visit also follows a recent trip to the UAE by an all-party delegation from India, led by Shiv Sena MP Shrikant Eknath Shinde. This delegation focused on strengthening cooperation in counter-terrorism efforts, demonstrating the bipartisan support in India for closer ties with the UAE on security matters.
The discussions during Foreign Secretary Misri's visit covered a wide range of topics, including trade, investment, security, and regional issues. Both sides expressed satisfaction with the progress made in various areas of cooperation and reiterated their commitment to further strengthening the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. The meetings also provided an opportunity to exchange views on regional and global developments, highlighting the close coordination and shared perspectives between India and the UAE on key international issues.
