Despite diplomatic undulations, one thing that remains constant since 3000BC, is the trade and commerce of goods and services between the two regions. In the 1970s, United Arab Emirates and India bilateral trade was worth 180 million, today, it has since reached 60 billion, making India UAE’s second largest trade partner, and the United Arab Emirates India’s third largest trade partner.

A landmark day for the United Arab Emirates was August 18, 2015, where the first time in 34 years an Indian Prime Minister had visited a Muslim country outside of South Asia. The visit by Prime Minister Narendra Modi was to reiterate growing cooperation with the United Arab Emirates and India on many fronts, energy, economics, culture, and counterterrorism efforts.

Of the many fronts, the United Arab Emirates took a landmark step in cultural tolerance, by allotting land to build a Hindu Temple in Abu Dhabi, respectfully for their 2.6 million Indian residents that make up 30% of the population of the United Arab Emirates. Something that once could have been seen as a threat because it gives a mass body of people the ability to congregate, has been overlooked with a revised understanding that religious tolerance is necessary in tribute to the many workers who are invaluable to the country and for the future of the region.

Source: The World Post / Sarah Elzeini
Available: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/sarah-elzeini/uae-usa-indalack-of-relat_b_8008528.html