DUBAI // India and the UAE are engaged in a number of matters to serve the expatriate Indian community in the country, said India’s minister of external affairs and overseas Indian affairs on Tuesday.
“We have undertaken measures to ensure the welfare of the Indian community in the UAE,” Sushma Swaraj said during a reception in Dubai.
These include improving the Indian community welfare fund with a grant of Dh500,000, to be given to the Indian Association in Sharjah, and Dh500,000 to the Indian Association in Ajman for the construction of its social centre.
“The Indian diaspora has made us proud by their contributions to the UAE and India,” Ms Swaraj said.
“Today, 2.6 million strong Indians form the largest expatriate group in the UAE and you are all the vital organic links between India and the UAE, which has emerged as the largest trading partner to us and the gateway to the region.”
She said the welfare of Indians in the world, including the Gulf, was one of the priorities of the Indian Government.
“Sustained remittances have contributed to foreign exchange reserves and the country’s new government comes with great responsibilities,” Ms Swaraj said. “The GDP growth was under five per cent and inflation was high but the people of our country around the world showed confidence, and our government is committed to providing that growth to facilitate the business environment.”
Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Culture, Youth and Community Development, said Indians in the UAE had distinguished themselves in education, finance, banking, health care, communications, engineering and businesses.
“India must be proud of that,” he said. “They have represented their country in the finest possible fashion. Indians who crossed the Arabian Sea to live and work in the UAE have strengthened the flourishing relationship between our two countries, friendship, trust and cooperation that Indian and Emiratis enjoy here. We rejoice in being India’s largest trading partner.”
He said the minister’s visit was a clear indication of the depth of friendship, trust and cooperation that had long existed between both countries.
“India and the UAE are bonded together by a very special relationship,” Sheikh Nahyan said. “Dubai has become an international centre for commerce, architectural design and tourism while Abu Dhabi has established its reputation, not only as a centre for government and culture for the UAE, but also as a global leader in education, arts, green building construction, economic diversification and its own version of stunning architectural projects.
“The Indian community in the UAE has participated actively in all these efforts.”
cmalek@thenational.ae
