NEW DELHI, Nov. 10 -- External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Tuesday met United Arab Emirates (UAE) Ambassador to India Abdulla Saif Al Nuaimi in New Delhi and discussed ways to strengthen bilateral cooperation and deepen the strategic partnership between the two countries.
The meeting came amid continued diplomatic engagement between New Delhi and Abu Dhabi, with both nations maintaining close cooperation across trade, investment, energy, connectivity and people-to-people exchanges.
Sharing details of the meeting on X, Jaishankar said, "Glad to receive Ambassador H.E. Abdulla Saif Al Nuaimi of UAE today. We discussed deepening our bilateral cooperation and strategic partnership."
The discussions reflected the importance both countries attach to their comprehensive strategic partnership, which has expanded considerably in recent years through high-level exchanges and growing economic cooperation.
Earlier, on November 7, UAE Ambassador Al Nuaimi celebrated his first Diwali in India at a special gathering organised at the UAE Embassy in New Delhi. He joined embassy officials and their families in the celebrations, highlighting the cultural and people-to-people connections between the two nations.
The ambassador shared a 49-second video of the celebrations, showing the embassy decorated with illuminated displays, a large floral rangoli and traditional diyas. Embassy members were also seen lighting diyas and posing for a group photograph against a backdrop displaying Diwali greetings.
Describing the occasion, Al Nuaimi said his first Diwali in India had been made particularly memorable by the warm celebrations with embassy colleagues. He also extended festive greetings and expressed appreciation for India's cultural traditions.
Tuesday's meeting followed Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri's official visit to the UAE on November 1 and 2, during which he held discussions with senior Emirati officials on strengthening economic, investment and cultural cooperation.
During the visit, Misri met Jassem Mohamed Bu Ataba Al Zaabi, Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Department of Finance and Managing Director and Group CEO of L'IMAD Holding Company. Their discussions focused on expanding economic engagement, encouraging investment flows and developing long-term commercial partnerships.
Misri also met Mohamed Khalifa Al Mubarak, Chairman of Abu Dhabi's Department of Culture and Tourism, to explore opportunities for cooperation in tourism, cultural exchanges and creative industries, including the proposed House of India initiative.
In another meeting, the Foreign Secretary held talks with UAE Minister of State for International Cooperation and Special Envoy for India Reem Al Hashimy. The two sides reviewed bilateral relations and exchanged views on regional and global developments, including the situation in West Asia.
India and the UAE have strengthened their economic relationship following the implementation of the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) in May 2022. The agreement has helped expand trade opportunities and strengthen commercial engagement between businesses in the two countries.
Bilateral trade reached approximately $101.25 billion in the 2025-26 financial year, reflecting the growing scale of economic ties. Both countries are working towards expanding trade to $200 billion by 2032.
The UAE is also an important energy supplier and investment partner for India, while the large Indian community residing in the Gulf nation continues to contribute significantly to bilateral relations.
Cooperation between the two countries extends to defence, infrastructure, financial technology, renewable energy and emerging technologies, alongside cultural and educational exchanges.
The latest meeting between Jaishankar and Al Nuaimi reaffirmed the commitment of New Delhi and Abu Dhabi to maintaining regular diplomatic engagement and exploring further opportunities to strengthen their strategic partnership.
Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Millennium Post.