EAM Jaishankar Chief Guest of the 1st Raisina Middle East Conference

The first Raisina Middle East Conference was held in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) capital city, Abu Dhabi, on 28 and 29 January 2025. External Affairs Minister Dr S. Jaishankar was the Chief Guest of the first Raisina Middle East Conference.

Dr S.Jaishankar was on a three-day official visit to the UAE on 27 and 29 January 2025. 

This was the third visit to the UAE by Dr Jaishankar since he was reappointed as the External Affairs Minister in June 2024.

The Raisina Dialogue is India’s premier conference on geopolitics and geoeconomics which brings together experts to discuss the most challenging issues facing the world community.

Organiser of the first Raisina Middle East Conference 

The first Raisina Middle East Dialogue was organised by the Observer  Research Foundation of India in partnership with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, UAE, and the Indian Ministry of External Affairs.

The conference provided a platform for policymakers of the region, academia, media, and the private sector to discuss the importance of the region and the region’s integration with the world.

Why Abhu Dhabi was Chosen for the Conference?  

The UAE is an important country for India in the Middle Eastern or West Asian region. In 2023-24 UAE was the third largest trading partner of India after China and the United States of America.

India has signed the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) with UAE which came into force on 1 May 2022.It provides for free trade in goods and service between the two countries.

Also both the countries share a Comprehensive and Strategic Partnership.

Given the importance of the UAE in India’s foreign policy ,the first Raisina Dialogue was held in Abu Dhabi, UAE.

Dr S .Jaishankar's Engagement in UAE

During his visit to the UAE ,Dr Jaishankar met the top political leadership of the country.

He met the President of the UAE Sheikh Mohamed Bin Zayed,  Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah Bin Zayed.

He also met the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi ,Sheikh Khaled Bin Mohamed Bin Zayed.

 Dr. S Jaishankar also participated in the 76th Republic Day celebration held at Abu Dhabi on 27 January 2025. 

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah Bin Zayed was the Chief Guest.

About the United Arab Emirates 

The United Arab Emirates was founded in 1971 and it is a federation of seven Emirates of  Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, Dubai, Ajman, Umm-al-Quwain, Ras-al-Khaimah and Fujairah.

Abu Dhabi is the main petroleum oil exporting emirates and the richest emirates of UAE.

Capital: Abu Dhabi

Currency: Dirham

President: Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan