Abu Dhabi: The Indian diaspora brings vitality to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) at a time when India is becoming more influential on the global stage, UAE Minister of Tolerance and Coexistence Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan said Monday.
Speaking at the Indiaspora Forum For Good in Abu Dhabi, the minister also released a report on the Indian diaspora in the UAE in collaboration with Indiaspora, a non-profit organisation that serves as a network of global Indian-origin leaders from diverse backgrounds.
Titled ‘From Ancient Legacy to Modern Triumphs: The Indian Diaspora in the UAE’, the report was compiled by Indiaspora and the Boston Consulting Group. It examines how Indians have shaped the country’s economic landscape while also influencing its culture, education, and healthcare sectors.
Acknowledging the Indian diaspora’s contributions, the minister also spoke about the BAPS Hindu temple, the largest Hindu temple ever built in Abu Dhabi. The temple was consecrated in February 2024, following Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit in 2018, during which both governments signed a memorandum of understanding for its construction.
“The temple is a reflection of our appreciation for the Indian community,” Sheikh Nahyan told ThePrint. “The Indian community has contributed greatly to our economy, and the least we can do is acknowledge their culture.”
Praising India’s commitment to an interdependent world, the minister spoke about the importance of working towards a global order that fosters “hope, cooperation, and prosperity”.
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The Indian diaspora in the UAE
The Indian footprint in the UAE is vast, with Indians making up nearly one-third of the country’s population. The Indian expatriate community has played a crucial role in shaping the UAE’s economic and social fabric, and today, they are at the forefront of high-growth sectors such as AI, technology, and fintech.
India is also the UAE’s second-largest trading partner, while the UAE ranks as India’s third-largest, with bilateral trade worth $84 billion. Between 2000 and 2023, India received over $16 billion in cumulative foreign direct investment from the UAE, while Indian investments in the UAE during the same period amounted to $19 billion. In 2023, the Indian community in the UAE remitted nearly $22 billion back to India—accounting for 18 percent of total remittances from the global Indian diaspora.
Calling the UAE one of India’s greatest allies, Indian Ambassador to the UAE Sunjay Sudhir highlighted India’s growing role in promoting regional peace, citing the Abraham Accords as an example of how India—an essential trade partner for the Middle East—has become embedded in the diplomatic and economic framework of the region.
“This is a very forward-thinking government that recognises Indian contributions to the region,” Sudhir told ThePrint. “The BAPS Hindu Temple is significant in scale, but it is not the first place of worship for Indians here—there are numerous gurudwaras and churches, which reflect the inclusivity of this country.”
Sheikh Nahyan also spoke about the long-standing friendship between India and the UAE, praising India’s growing global influence and the confidence of its people. He stressed that the UAE remains “attentive to the moral dimensions” of its policies.
“We are a nation that looks to the future with confidence,” he said. “And I admire India’s belief in an interdependent world.”
The global impact of the Indian diaspora
The inaugural Indiaspora Forum For Good is being held in Abu Dhabi from 24 to 26 February, bringing together over 700 participants from 34 countries.
One participant described the forum as the “Davos for the Indian diaspora”, bringing together a diverse cross-section of global Indian-origin leaders from various industries. Sanjeev Joshipura, executive director of Indiaspora, stated that the organisation serves as both a network and a platform for Indian leaders to shape the future of global affairs.
“Indiaspora has played a key role in strengthening ties between India and the world—especially in the United States,” former foreign secretary and former Indian Ambassador to the US Harsh Shringla told ThePrint.
From encouraging foreign investments in India to deepening cultural connections, Shringla credited Indiaspora founder M.R. Rangaswami and the organisation itself for being instrumental in amplifying India’s global presence.
Entrepreneur and Bollywood actor Vivek Oberoi, who serves as Indiaspora’s goodwill ambassador, described Indiaspora as a “microcosm” of the Maha Kumbh, embodying India’s ancient philosophy of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam—the belief that “the world is one family.”
The reporter visited the Indiaspora Forum For Good in Abu Dhabi on an invitation by Indiaspora.
(Edited by Radifah Kabir)
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