| Why in the news? | Raisina Middle East Conference Debuts with Jaishankar as Chief Guest |
| Event | 1st Raisina Middle East Conference |
| Date & Venue | 28-29 January 2025, Abu Dhabi, UAE |
| Chief Guest | EAM Dr. S. Jaishankar |
| Organizers | - Observer Research Foundation (ORF), India - UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs - Indian Ministry of External Affairs |
| Purpose | - Strengthening India-UAE relations - Discussing geopolitical and geoeconomic issues - Enhancing trade, investment & strategic partnerships - Promoting regional integration with the global economy |
| India-Middle East Trade | - India-Gulf Trade: $160-$180 billion - India-Mediterranean Trade: $80 billion |
| Key Indian Projects | Airports, ports, railways, phosphates, green hydrogen, steel, submarine cables |
| People-to-People Links | - 9 million Indians in the Gulf region - 0.5 million Indians in the Mediterranean region |
| Middle East as a Gateway | Gulf as a passage to MENA, Mediterranean, Africa, Europe, Central Asia, and the Caucasus |
| India-UAE Relations | - Based on trust and credibility - EAM Jaishankar met Anwar Gargash (Diplomatic Advisor to UAE President) to discuss the special strategic partnership |
| Future Vision | - Deepening India-Middle East engagement - Plurilateral cooperation in connectivity & maritime security |
| Why Abu Dhabi? | - Key partner in the Middle East - India's 3rd largest trading partner (2023-24) after China & the U.S. - Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) signed in May 2022 |
| Dr. S. Jaishankar's UAE Visit | - 27-29 January 2025 - Met UAE President Sheikh Mohamed Bin Zayed - Held talks with Deputy PM & FM Sheikh Abdullah Bin Zayed - Met Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Sheikh Khaled Bin Mohamed Bin Zayed - Attended India's 76th Republic Day celebrations in Abu Dhabi (27 Jan 2025) |
