India, UAE hold second Strategic Dialogue

New Delhi, Oct 29 : Keeping with New Delhi's growing links with the Gulf, India and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) on Sunday held their second Strategic Dialogue in Abu Dhabi with Minister of State for External Affairs M.J. Akbar heading the Indian side.

"Deepening ties with a Gulf partner. MOS @mjakbar and MOS Dr. Anwar Gargash from UAE co-chaired 2nd India-UAE strategic dialogue in Abu Dhabi," External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Raveesh Kumar tweeted

The first round of the Dialogue was held in New Delhi in January this year.

India and the UAE's bilateral trade amounts to $53 billion. The UAE is India's third largest trading partner while, for the UAE, India is the largest trading partner.

The UAE is among the top investors in India in terms of foreign direct investments. It contributes significantly to India's energy security and has been the fifth-largest supplier of crude oil to India in 2016-17.

It is also a strong partner of India in the fight against terrorism.

Narendra Modi made the first prime ministerial visit from India to the Gulf nation in over three decades in August 2015.

Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan visited India in February 2016 and subsequently as the chief guest at the Republic Day celebrations this year.

A 2.6 million-strong Indian community forms the largest expatriate group in the UAE.