India-UAE relations: Former Indian Ambassador reveals untold stories in new book

Dubai: Former Indian Ambassador Navdeep Singh Suri has unveiled new insights into the India-UAE relationship in his recently released book, Bridging the Gulf: The Remaking of India-UAE Relations. Suri, who served as India's envoy to the UAE from 2016 to 2019, delves into the centuries-old connections between the two nations, drawing on his diplomatic experience, interviews with key participants, and archival research.

The book traces the historical ties between the Arabian Sea and the British rule in India, when Bombay, now Mumbai, was a key administrative and trading hub for the Gulf. It explores the pearl trade that brought Indian and Arab merchants closer, resulting in families from the Gulf establishing homes and offices in Bombay. Suri also examines the history of the Indian rupee in the Gulf and the controversy surrounding the gold trade between Dubai and India during the 1950s and 1960s.

Beyond the well-known aspects of the relationship, Suri's book sheds light on lesser-known aspects, such as the BAPS Hindu Mandir in Abu Dhabi and the Malabar Connection between Kerala and the Gulf. He also discusses the challenges of translating economic ties into investment, highlighting the scale of bilateral trade and the distinction between trade and investment.

The book also touches upon emerging areas of cooperation, such as defence, security, energy, technology, artificial intelligence, supercomputing, and advanced healthcare technologies.

Suri's aim is to provide Indian readers with a deeper understanding of modern Emirati society, challenging stereotypes and highlighting the transformation of the UAE in governance, technology, artificial intelligence, and healthcare. Through this book, Suri hopes to present a more comprehensive and nuanced picture of the India-UAE relationship.