Hamdan Bin Mohammed And India’s Minister Witness Signing Of Eight Strategic Agreements For Enhanced Collaboration
H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, and Piyush Goyal, India's Minister of Commerce and Industry, recently witnessed the signing of eight Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) in Mumbai. These agreements aim to enhance cooperation in sectors like infrastructure, healthcare, and education. The event was organised by Dubai Chambers as part of H.H. Sheikh Hamdan's official visit to India.
H.H. Sheikh Hamdan emphasised the strong bond between India and the UAE, highlighting their shared commitment to innovation and sustainable growth. He stated, "India and the UAE are bound by a deep-rooted friendship and a shared dedication to shaping the future through innovation, opportunity, and sustainable growth." The MoUs aim to strengthen this partnership by fostering resilient economies and advancing knowledge.
Dubai Chambers signed three MoUs with major Indian industry bodies: the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI), and the IMC Chamber of Commerce and Industry. These agreements focus on supporting businesses from both countries in expanding their operations. They also include provisions for business matching services and networking activities.
The MoUs outline joint participation in trade fairs, investment missions, conferences, and exhibitions in both markets. Regular information exchange on bilateral trade trends is also planned to identify new opportunities. This aligns with Dubai Chambers' strategy to promote international expansion and build bridges with key global markets.
DP World signed an MoU with RITES under India's Ministry of Railways to develop tech-enabled supply chains. This agreement aims to leverage the UAE-India Virtual Trade Corridor (VTC) launched in September 2024. It focuses on multimodal logistics parks, free trade zones, port connectivity, and rail freight solutions.
Drydocks World partnered with Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL) for ship repair clusters in Kochi and Vadinar. This collaboration supports Maritime India Vision 2030 by modernising maritime infrastructure and expanding India's ship repair industry.
Advancements in Education
The Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) signed an MoU with the Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad (IIMA). This agreement marks a significant milestone in academic cooperation by establishing an IIMA campus in Dubai. The campus will serve as a centre for higher education, skill development, and innovation across several regions.
The IIMA Dubai Campus will be developed in two phases within Dubai International Academic City (DIAC). The first phase includes launching a One-Year Full-Time MBA Programme later this year. A permanent campus is expected by 2029.
Healthcare Initiatives
An MoU was signed to establish the UAE-India Friendship Hospital (UIFH) in Dubai as a not-for-profit initiative providing accessible healthcare services. Dr. Amer Sharif from Dubai Health signed this agreement alongside UIFH's founding trustees from various business groups.
The hospital aims to deliver high-quality healthcare endorsed at leadership levels by both governments. Another agreement between Dubai Medical University (DMU) and All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) focuses on academic collaboration through student exchanges and joint research initiatives.
The recent agreements between India and the UAE highlight their commitment to strengthening ties across multiple sectors such as business, infrastructure, education, and healthcare. These collaborations aim to foster economic growth while enhancing institutional relationships between both nations for long-term benefits.
With inputs from WAM


