The Indian Business and Professional Council (IBPC) Dubai marked its 22nd anniversary on April 25 with a high-profile conclave at the Taj Exotica, reaffirming the growing strategic partnership between India and the UAE. The event featured a keynote address by former President of India Ram Nath Kovind and remarks by the Consul General of India in Dubai, spotlighting developments in trade, education, and investment.
The former president praised the Indian diaspora’s role in strengthening bilateral ties through innovation and entrepreneurship. Citing historic ties “as old as the monsoon winds,” he noted India’s transformation into a major global economy and welcomed UAE participation in sectors like green growth, space, and infrastructure. He highlighted recent initiatives including a USD 1 billion investment by the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority in India’s National Infrastructure Investment Fund and the opening of its office in GIFT City. He also endorsed plans for joint innovation initiatives between Indian and Emirati entrepreneurs.
The Indian Consul General underscored the speed of recent developments, including visits by key UAE leaders and the launch of IIT Delhi’s Abu Dhabi campus. He confirmed that bilateral trade has surpassed USD 100 billion, with nearly USD 70 billion in non-oil trade—five years ahead of the 2030 target. He also highlighted the UAE-India Friendship Hospital, led by IBPC figures Siddharth Balachandran and Ramesh Ramakrishnan, as a milestone in healthcare collaboration.
IBPC leadership used the occasion to unveil the Viksit Bharat Series, aimed at deepening economic engagement with Indian states, and reiterated its expanding role in digital economy, CEPA, and sustainability initiatives. A cultural segment titled “Miracle on Wheels” showcased the resilience of differently abled artists.
IBPC Secretary General Dr. Sahitya Chaturvedi said the conclave sets the tone for long-term partnerships across trade, technology, and cultural diplomacy. The event concluded with a renewed call for inclusive and strategic growth, positioning IBPC Dubai at the heart of India-UAE cooperation.
