WAM ABU DHABI: The Vice President and Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, has emphasised the keen interest of the leadership, government and people of the UAE in maintaining open channels with India, in cultural, economic and charity spheres in particular.
Sheikh Mohammed made his remarks in a foreword to the Arabic edition of "India and the UAE: In Celebration of a Legendary Friendship", a new book by Indian career diplomat and scholar of international relations Venu Rajamony, who served as Consul General of India in Dubai from 2007 to 2010.
Through these channels, Sheikh Mohammed noted, good political relations can be built with all countries, based on common interests, mutual respect and constructive cooperation.
"Since the early 1950s, the UAE, and Dubai in particular, have been working on the promotion of these good relations with India, and as a result, social and trade ties have flourished to become stronger now, thanks to Dubai’s geographical location and its busy port which is close to India," Sheikh Mohammed said.
He emphasised that merchants from both countries have been playing a significant role in building trade, social and cultural bridges between the two peoples and these developments have placed India at the top of industrial and trade exchange with the UAE, in addition to non-oil sectors.
For his part, Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Culture, Youth and Community Development, in another foreword to Rajamony’s new book, said the UAE is now the largest trade partner of India in the Gulf region, thanks to the evolution and progress of the unique and solid political, economic and social relations between the two countries which the book documents.
India’s exports to the UAE account for 6% of the subcontinent’s total exports to the world, while 70% of its total exports go through the UAE, Sheikh Nahyan noted.
He further noted that the solid relations between the two countries are further reinforced by the existence of a large Indian community which lives peacefully and contribute to economic development in the UAE.
The minister praised Rajamony’s 256-page work as a signifigant addition to literature on UAE-India relations as it provides an insightful journey into the age-old and prosperous ties between the two countries. He also expressed hope the book will receive a warm welcome from readers as it gives them a comprehensive glimpse of this strong relationship and the mutual respect and appreciation between the two countries.
The Arabic edition of "India and the UAE: In Celebration of a Legendary Friendship" which Rajamony has dedicated to the people of the UAE, provides a treasure trove of facts, figures, tables, photographs, paintings and sketches and stories, all juxtaposed to give a comprehensive account of the ties in five chapters covering history, politics, economy and trade, health and education, people and culture.
PH WAM/MMYS
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