Why is relationship between India and UAE important? - Part2

In Part one of the series we see how the relationship between India and UAE are important and its not that new that we feel. We have been helping as countries long back . there is lot more to this relationship which we will see in this part.

Cultural Relations:

Both countries share historical ties and have maintained regular cultural exchanges both at official and popular levels.  India and UAE signed a Cultural Agreement in 1975.  The ICCR also opened a Culture Centre in Abu Dhabi in 2009 but it was shut down in June 2014.  Prominent events organized by the Culture Centre include handicraft bazar – Discover India (February 2011); poetry reading session by Dr. Satchidanandan, an Indian poet and Arabic Translations by Arabic poet Dr Shihab Ghanem; a session on Indo-Arab Relations through the ages in History, Art & Culture, with special emphasis on UAE (November 2011); retrospective of Shyam Benegal’s film (October 2012); Pt. Prahlad Tipania and Group’s renditions on “Kabir Bhajans” (January 2014); talks by Ms Shehnaz Hussain (March 2013) & Dr. Anil Kakodkar (January 2014); photo exhibition on the Islamic monuments of India (March-April 2014) etc. 

Click here to read - Why is relationship between India and UAE important? - Part1
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Even after closing of the ICCR’s Culture Centre at Abu Dhabi, the Embassy as well as the Consulate continued to organize various cultural activities on its own as well as by collaborating with Indian Associations/Cultural Organizations based in UAE. 

ICCR’s cotemporary painting exhibition on “Kerala Green” – a compilation of works by artists from SAARC countries and exhibition of group of Indian artists was also organized in September 2014 at Embassy Residence. During the months of general elections in India, 20-20 IPL Cricket matches were organized in three Emirates of UAE, namely Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Sharjah for two weeks in April 2014.  These were received by the host government and Indian community both with deep interest and enthusiasm.

Indian community

UAE is home to Indian expatriate community of more than 2.6 million – the largest expatriate community in the UAE. Professionally qualified personnel constitute about 15 & 20 percent of the community, followed by 20 percent white-collar non-professionals (clerical staff, shop assistants, sales men, accountants, etc) and remainder 65% comprises of blue-collar workers. There is a significant business community from India. The Indian community has played a major role in the economic development of the UAE. The annual remittances made by the large Indian community in UAE amount to over US$8 billion (2012).

With a large number of blue-collared Indian workers, the focus of bilateral relations is also on developing efficient grievance-redressal mechanisms for the Indian workers in the UAE. The UAE’s Ministry of Labour and the Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs are working closely to evolve a new arrangement that would make the system of recruitment and contracting more transparent. India and UAE signed a MoU in the field of Manpower Sourcing in December 2006 and a Protocol to streamline the admission of Indian contract workers by way of an electronic contract registration and validation system was signed on April 4, 2012. Six State Governments (i.e. Rajasthan, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Goa, Telangana and West Bengal) and Protector General of Emigrants from Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs participated in the Conference. Approximately 300 Indians from various parts of UAE representing the various social, cultural, business and professional associations of Indian Community also participated in this Conference.

Comprehensive on-line web based NRI registration system has been developed for Indians resident in UAE to register themselves on the system by filling in the requested details

The Embassy also has the Indian Community Welfare Fund (ICWF) for providing short term economic assistance (food, shelter, passage expenses etc...) to destitute workers/housemaids in distress. Indian Workers Resource Centre (IWRC) with a 24-hour helpline is operating in Dubai since November 2010. Regular visits to jails and labor camps by the officers and Open house are held every working day of the week at both the Embassy and the Consulate for the Indian Community members. These mechanisms ensure regular communication and interaction between the Embassy & and the Consulate with the Indian community.

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Conclusion:

Hence, UAE which is India's top trading partner in the entire West Asia North Africa (WANA) region, as it alone represents 25% of India's export to GCC nations, has seriously taken forward the relations with India. Also, Indian exports to the UAE account for 5% of India's global exports. Today, as India accelerates economic reforms and improves its investment and business environment, and UAE becomes an increasingly advanced and diversified economy, the two countries have the potential to build a transformative economic partnership, not only for sustained prosperity of their two countries, but to also advance progress in the region and help realize the vision of an Asian Century.

Yet, their common vision of progress and prosperity faces challenges from many shared threats to peace, stability and security in the region. A shared endeavor to address these challenges, based on common ideals and convergent interests, is vital for the future of the two countries and their region.

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About the Author:  Pranav Nikam is an Electrical and Electronics engineer who is working in a renowned MNC in Chennai. He likes to work out in gym, do photography and play badminton. Through his articles he wants to spread awareness among other defence aspirants.