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The Emirates News Agency reported that H.H. Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Ras Al Khaimah, received Dr. Subrahmanyam Jaishankar at his palace in Saqr bin Mohammed City on October 16. The meeting was attended by Abdullah Saif Al Nuaimi, UAE Ambassador to India, and Dr. Deepak Mittal, Indian Ambassador to the UAE. Discussions centred on ways to expand bilateral cooperation across multiple sectors with a particular focus on economic and trade ties that support mutual prosperity.
Sheikh Saud welcomed Jaishankar and the accompanying delegation while reviewing opportunities to develop relations between Ras Al Khaimah and India. The ruler highlighted the existing close ties and stressed the need to broaden cooperation through new investment channels in key sectors. Such engagement aligns with ongoing efforts to create additional avenues for growth between the two sides.
Jaishankar expressed appreciation for the hospitality extended by the ruler and reaffirmed India’s commitment to further developing its relationship with both the UAE and Ras Al Khaimah specifically. He noted the prominent regional and international position held by the UAE. The Indian minister’s visit forms part of a three-day trip to the UAE from October 14 to 16 to assess progress in the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.
Jaishankar wrote on X that it was an honour to meet HH Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi, the Ruler of Ras Al Khaimah and member of the UAE Supreme Council. He added that he was grateful for insights on further strengthening India-UAE ties and deepening engagements with the region, with the situation in the Gulf also discussed. The post came after separate meetings during the visit, including with UAE Foreign Minister Abdullah Bin Zayed Al-Nahyan.
A Ras Al Khaimah Economic Zone official has separately indicated that bilateral India-UAE trade has risen to approximately 101 billion dollars from 73 billion dollars prior to the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement that entered into force in May 2022. The same assessment projects trade approaching a 200 billion dollar target by 2032, supported by growing investment and collaboration in areas such as technology, tourism and supply chains. Ras Al Khaimah Economic Zone itself hosts more than 13,500 Indian companies ranging from small enterprises to major corporations.
The latest high-level exchange builds on earlier engagements, including a September visit by India’s Consul General in Dubai to Ras Al Khaimah that similarly targeted trade, investment and people-to-people links. Those discussions involved the Ras Al Khaimah Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the economic zone authority. Officials from both sides have consistently pointed to the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement as the foundation enabling expanded commercial activity across the emirate and India.
