Mumbai: Dubai's Crown Prince, His Highness Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, who is also the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence of the UAE, marked a remarkable moment during his maiden official visit to India by visiting the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) in Mumbai on Wednesday.
The Crown Prince was warmly welcomed by Sundararaman Ramamurthy, Managing Director and CEO of BSE. As part of the symbolic ceremony, Sheikh Hamdan rang the iconic BSE bell and posed with the well-known bull statue, symbolising bullish market sentiments. His visit to BSE not only highlighted the growing financial ties between India and the UAE but also displayed Dubai’s strategic interest in strengthening economic engagement with India.
Sheikh Hamdan Attends Dubai-India Business Forum
The visit to BSE came a day after Sheikh Hamdan attended the Dubai-India Business Forum, hosted by Dubai Chambers in Mumbai. The event aimed to explore deeper collaboration between the two economic hubs and brought together key business leaders and policymakers.
Union Minister of Commerce & Industry Piyush Goyal addressed the forum and hailed the India-UAE partnership as 'a model of prosperity, trust, and shared vision.' He emphasized that the presence of the Crown Prince reflected the enduring and evolving relationship between the two nations.
“Delighted to meet HH Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai,” Goyal had posted on X (formerly Twitter), noting their discussions on expanding economic cooperation under the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) and identifying fresh avenues for bilateral growth.
Goyal also invoked historical ties between the cities of Mumbai and Dubai, pointing out that 2024 marks the 100th year since the visit of Sheikh Saeed to India. “Both cities share a welcoming spirit rooted in centuries-old cultural and commercial links,” he said, reinforcing the cultural resonance that continues to bind the regions.
The Minister went on to appreciate Dubai’s contributions to the welfare of the Indian diaspora, citing initiatives such as the establishment of the first hospital for Indian workers in Dubai. “This is a heartwarming gesture, and we thank you on behalf of all Indians,” he added.
