New Delhi, April 8 (NationPress) Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the Crown Prince of Dubai and Deputy Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), presented to Prime Minister Narendra Modi a replica of his grandfather Sheikh Rashid's 'bisht' - a traditional embroidered cloak worn over the Qandura by Arab men - symbolising the historic and generational political friendship between the two countries, during their meeting in New Delhi on Tuesday.

Prime Minister Modi hosted a working lunch for the Crown Prince at his residence in Lok Kalyan Marg and conveyed his warm regards to the President of UAE, Mohamed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, and Prime Minister of UAE and Ruler of Dubai Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum. PM Modi also extended his good wishes to the Crown Prince's new-born daughter, Hind bint Hamdan, as mentioned in a statement from the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA).

Both leaders discussed avenues to enhance the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between India and the UAE, as well as the strong cultural and people-to-people ties between India and Dubai.

This marks Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mohammed Al Maktoum's inaugural official visit to India as the Crown Prince of Dubai, accompanied by several ministers, senior government officials, and a high-level business delegation.

“I am glad to meet HH Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the Crown Prince of Dubai. Dubai has played a crucial role in advancing the India-UAE Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. This special visit reaffirms our deep-rooted friendship and lays the groundwork for even stronger collaboration in the future,” Prime Minister Modi posted on X following the meeting.

The Crown Prince also engaged with Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, discussing strategies to bolster the strategic defence and security partnership between the two nations in alignment with the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.

“For India, the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership with the UAE is of paramount importance. In the upcoming years, we are keen to collaborate closely in areas such as defence cooperation, co-production, and co-development projects, as well as innovation and technology. Both India and the UAE are dedicated to working towards peace and prosperity in the region,” Singh posted on X.

External Affairs Minister (EAM) S. Jaishankar, during his meeting with the visiting dignitary, underscored the significant deepening and broadening of the relationship across sectors between the two countries in recent years.

The Crown Prince presented an original newspaper article detailing the successful efforts of his father, the Ruler of Dubai, Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, in rescuing passengers aboard Indian Airlines Flight 421 in August 1984.

Later, he also met with Minister of Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal during a high-level business meeting in Mumbai.

“They discussed the impact of the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) on the rapid growth of bilateral trade. Goyal welcomed the signing of key MoUs and announcements made at the business event, expressing hope that these will further enhance bilateral economic engagement to unprecedented heights. Notably, the progress on the Virtual Trade Corridor (VTC) and its role in facilitating bilateral trade, as well as serving as a building block of IMEEC, was acknowledged,” the MEA stated.