External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar emphasised the importance of India's relationship with the Middle East, especially the Gulf region, during the opening session of the Raisina Middle East event in Abu Dhabi on Tuesday.

He discussed the long-standing historical connections between India and the Gulf and mentioned that annual trade between them exceeds USD 160 billion. This includes cooperation in areas like energy, technology, infrastructure and education. India's ties also extend beyond the Gulf to the Mediterranean, where trade amounts to USD 80 billion annually. Jaishankar is currently on a visit to UAE from January 27 to 29 to strengthen India-UAE relations and improve their bilateral cooperation. During Raisina Middle East's Inaugural session, Jaishankar said, "The history of India and the Middle East are inextricably linked. Whether it is commerce or connectivity, ideas and beliefs, or customs and traditions, we have actually seen an interplay over centuries... After independence, our economic development model resulted in a perceptible dilution of linkages with the world, one felt most deeply in our immediate proximity."

"Many of you would be familiar with the intensity of India's ties with the Gulf. Our trade is in the region of USD 160-180 billion annually. The energy dimension is the most visible; but there is much more to it than that. Whether it is projects, technology, education, health, or services, our presence in the Gulf is both pervasive and crucial. More than 9 million Indians live and work here. But the Gulf also serves as a gateway to the MENA region and to the Mediterranean. Our annual trade with the Mediterranean incidentally is another USD 80 billion. And the Indian diaspora there is close to half a million. We have significant interests in fertilisers, energy, water, diamonds, defence and cyber. Our projects include airports, ports and railway to phosphates, green hydrogen, steel and submarine cables. Material factors aside, this larger geography is a very critical connect between the Indian Ocean and the Atlantic. And as our history underlines, there is a symbiotic relationship between us. We certainly have stakes that are continually rising; but increasingly, India also has contributions to make that would influence the direction of events," added Jaishankar. 

Speaking about the Raisina Dialogue, the EAM said, "Ten years ago, Prime Minister Modi who had just assumed office asked me why we were busy attending conferences in other countries, without holding one on our own. This exhortation led to the birth of the 'Raisina Dialogue' in New Delhi. In the period that followed, Raisina has undoubtedly established itself at home, while gradually spreading its wings abroad."

He added, "I am particularly pleased that it has now come to the Middle East, a region of immense significance for India, though we prefer to call it West Asia. I congratulate the Raisina organisers, ORF and Samir Saran and his team in particular, as well as our UAE partners for this endeavour. And, take this opportunity to share some thoughts about Raisina, about the Middle East, about India and the World."

In a post on X, Jaishankar wrote about addressing the inaugural session of Raisina Middle East. He said, "Addressed the inaugural session of #RaisinaMiddleEast in Abu Dhabi. Highlighted the significant expansion of India - Middle East engagement in the past decade, driven by strong trade, connectivity and people to people linkages. And how this partnership holds special importance in a changing world. An India with wider interests and growing capabilities sees the Middle East as not only a close partner but a crucial passage to the world beyond."

Jaishankar had a meeting with the UAE President's diplomatic advisor, Anwar Gargash, earlier in the day. On X, Jaishankar shared a post and wrote, "Nice to meet Anwar Gargash, Diplomatic Advisor to the President, UAE this morning. Discussed our special partnership and its further progress." India and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) have shared strong diplomatic relations since they first established ties in 1972. That same year, the UAE opened its embassy in India, and India opened its embassy in the UAE the following year, in 1973. 

Over time, India-UAE relations have grown into a strong and diverse partnership. A major turning point came in 2015 when Prime Minister Modi visited the UAE — the first visit by an Indian Prime Minister in 34 years. This visit paved the way for a new chapter in bilateral relations, marked by the introduction of a Comprehensive and Strategic Partnership. In recent years, PM Modi has made multiple visits to the UAE, with the latest being in November-December 2023 for the COP28 World Climate Action Summit in Dubai.