Abu dhabi: The United Arab Emirates celebrated the Indian community through a major public event held at Zabeel Park in Dubai, attended by Noura Al Kaabi, Minister of State, and A. Amarnath, Charge d’Affaires of the Embassy of India to the United Arab Emirates, along with a number of officials, diplomats, business leaders, and prominent members of the Indian community in the country.
According to Emirates News Agency, the event, organised by ‘Emirates Loves India’, drew a large audience of more than 100,000 people, making it the largest celebration of its kind in the United Arab Emirates. The event highlighted the creativity, diversity, and talent of the Indian community in the UAE. The programme featured an array of musical and folkloric performances, traditional fashion, handicrafts, and popular Indian cuisine – creating a festive atmosphere that reflected the strong bonds of friendship and cultural harmony between the Emirati and Indian peoples.
Noura Al Kaabi expressed the significance of the event by emphasizing the enduring friendship between the UAE and India, which is built on trust, respect, and shared aspirations. She highlighted the deep human and cultural ties that have connected the two nations for centuries, with exchanges of goods, ideas, traditions, and hopes shaping the shared cultural rhythm that resonates today.
The event offered visitors a chance to experience authentic Indian traditions, including a variety of food stalls featuring popular Indian dishes, a handicraft exhibition, and numerous family-oriented activities. Musical and dance performances, live shows for children, and artistic displays contributed to a vibrant cultural celebration that showcased the depth and diversity of Indian heritage.
The successful organisation of the event and the high turnout reflect the UAE’s commitment to fostering friendship, mutual respect, and appreciation among diverse cultures and communities. The event’s consecutive annual hosting underscores the UAE’s ongoing efforts to strengthen cultural and humanitarian ties with all nations and to celebrate the traditions of its multicultural society.
The celebration included a ceremony recognising leading members of the Indian community who have made outstanding contributions in various fields. Noura Al Kaabi honoured awardees such as Dr. Vasu Shroff, Ram Pancholia, Dr. Sanjay Paithankar, Dr. Romit Purohit, Abdullah Poyil, Naresh Kumar Bhawnani, Jasbir Bassi, L.T. Pagarani, Tariq Chauhan, Kinana Muder Jamaluddin, Rohit Gupta, Ravi Menon, Eugene Mayne, and Ayesha Khan.
The UAE and India share a long-standing friendship rooted in deep historical and cultural ties. This relationship was formalised with the Cultural Agreement signed in January 1975 and took a major step forward with the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership Agreement in January 2017.
The Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) between the two countries, signed in February 2022 and implemented in May 2022, has significantly enhanced trade and investment cooperation. Non-oil bilateral trade reached USD 37.6 billion in the first half of 2025, marking a 33.9% increase compared to the same period in 2024.
The Indian community remains an integral part of the UAE’s social fabric, contributing to the nation’s economic, cultural, and social progress, and further deepening the strong partnership between the two countries.