UAE-India ties at 50: A look back in wonder

UAE-India ties at 50: A look back in wonder

Last year was historic for both India and the UAE. India had begun celebrations for its 75th anniversary of independence, which culminates today (August 15); the UAE, too, had set plans in motion to celebrate the golden jubilee of its foundation on December 2 — the young Arabian nation was founded in 1971.

This year, India and the UAE are also celebrating 50 years of their diplomatic relations. Amid the yearlong celebrations, there was a pleasant surprise: Expo 2020 Dubai was held between October 1, 2021, and March 31, 2022, even though it wasn’t planned that way.

The historic milestones for both nations fall within the span of a year, as the bilateral ties go from strength to strength.

Here are some lesser-known facts of the two nations, who are bound by shared history and culture:

The centuries-old ties between the peoples of India and the UAE are rooted in trade and commerce. The ties were established between 3300 BCE and 1300 BCE during the glorious Indus Valley Civilisation. This was also the era when the two regions had a flourishing maritime trade

In the early 20th Century, Bombay, which is now known as Mumbai, emerged as the biggest hub for pearl trade in the