Indian expats pledge loyalty to UAE alongside minister and Bollywood star at Independence Day event

Hundreds of Indian expats joined by UAE minister and Bollywood actor to pledge loyalty to the nation

Hundreds of Indian expatriates gathered in Dubai on Sunday night to mark India's 80th Independence Day with a powerful demonstration of loyalty to their host nation, reciting a collective pledge of allegiance to UAE President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan.

The event, organized by the Indian People's Forum (IPF), one of the largest community associations representing Indian expats in the UAE, featured participants declaring their commitment to a leader who "provides us with security and safety" and serves as a "guiding light in dedication, service, and love of country."

In a striking moment, the gathered community addressed the President directly: "Your Highness, we commit to you, before God and the nation: that, under your leadership, we shall always be loyal to this dear country." The pledge also affirmed their commitment to living together in peace and harmony while passing on the UAE's core values to future generations.

Dual pledges of allegiance

Later in the evening, attendees took a second pledge expressing support for Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision of Viksit Bharat 2047, India's ambitious plan to become a fully developed nation by the 100th anniversary of its independence. The vision encompasses economic growth, social progress, environmental sustainability, and good governance, with a goal of achieving a $30 trillion economy.

Participants pledged to "contribute positively, responsibly, and consciously" to the seven-point Saptadhara framework Modi outlined during India's Independence Day address. This framework identifies seven priority areas: manufacturing, agriculture and food processing, technology and innovation, Gati Shakti infrastructure and connectivity, defence, green and blue economies, and India's soft power and culture.

UAE minister praises Indian community's contributions

UAE Minister of Foreign Trade Dr Thani Al Zeyoudi attended as chief guest and joined the Indian expats in both pledges. He praised the Indian community for writing a "unique successful story" in the Gulf countries, describing it as a model of contributions that helped transform the UAE into a global economic powerhouse.

Speaking on bilateral trade, Dr Al Zeyoudi highlighted the landmark 2022 Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), the UAE's first trade deal outside the GCC and India's first with another nation. Signed on February 18, 2022, and entering into force on May 1, 2022, the agreement was negotiated in a remarkable 88 days, covering 11,908 tariff lines from India and 7,581 from the UAE.

The minister revealed that bilateral trade crossed $100 billion in FY 2024-25, achieving this milestone five years ahead of the original CEPA target. He noted that non-oil trade reached $29.3 billion in the first half of the year despite regional tensions, keeping both countries on track toward a $200 billion target by 2032, agreed upon in January 2026.

"This is as much a celebration of India's future as its past," Dr Al Zeyoudi said, adding that the UAE stands as an essential partner and stakeholder in India's ambitions.

Bollywood star honours resilient community

Bollywood actor Suniel Shetty joined the audience in taking both pledges, calling the UAE, and Dubai in particular, "an extension of our very own India." He praised the community's resilience through crises, saying: "Come crisis, come rain, come storm, I know this is one community that has always stood the test of time."

Shetty also spoke about The Falcons of the Majlis show, his project in the UAE aimed at supporting young founders, and offered to help Indian entrepreneurs connect with the initiative through the IPF.

Ambassador emphasizes diaspora's role as living bridge

Indian Ambassador to the UAE Dr Deepak Mittal highlighted the UAE leadership's strong recognition of and trust in the Indian community, which has grown from 2.2 million in 2012 to approximately 4.5 million today, making Indians the largest expatriate community in the UAE at about 38% of the total population.

He cited the allocation of 27 acres of land for the BAPS Hindu Mandir in Abu Dhabi, inaugurated on February 14, 2024, by Prime Minister Modi, and support for a crematorium in Ras Al Khaimah as tangible signs of that recognition. The temple, built on land donated by President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, is the first traditional Hindu stone temple in the Middle East.

Dr Mittal described the diaspora as a "living bridge" between the two nations and urged every Indian abroad to contribute across the seven priority areas of Viksit Bharat 2047, calling it "not only a vision for Indians living in India, but a shared national commitment for the entire Indian diaspora."

Consulate reaffirms commitment to community

Consul General Dr E Vishnu Vardhan Reddy reaffirmed the Consulate's commitment to the community, particularly on consular and passport services, and thanked residents for their patience during the recent transition to a new outsourced service provider.

He described the diaspora's pledge of allegiance to the UAE as a touching reflection of its respect for its Karmabhumi (land of work) while retaining its bond with its Mathrubhumi (motherland). He encouraged expats to also pledge support for India's development, stressing this should complement rather than diminish their commitment to the UAE.

IPF president thanks UAE for equal opportunities

IPF president Jitendra Vaidya pointed out that the government of the UAE has given everyone in the country an equal opportunity to grow according to their capacity. "We have thousands of examples including that of people who came here with nominal salaries becoming multi-millionaires and billionaires," he said.

Vaidya recalled how the UAE government had supported residents through the Covid-19 pandemic, sharing that authorities had spent more than Dh200,000 on his own treatment. "The beauty of it was that the same care was extended to blue-collar workers as well."

He credited President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed's declaration that "every resident is an Emirati" during the recent period of crisis with easing the concerns of several families. He noted that PM Modi had personally thanked the President for the remark, adding that it was this spirit that inspired the mass pledge of commitment during the 80th Independence Day celebration.

Vision for India's economic transformation

Pravasi Bharatiya Samman awardee Sidharth Balachandran described India's economic transformation as a new "Gilded Age," built around the goal of becoming a $30 trillion economy by 2047. He said the significance of this growth lies not just in scale but in ensuring prosperity reaches every section of society, linking this to the Saptadhara vision and the deepening India-UAE partnership.

The UAE is India's third-largest trading partner and second-largest export destination, with Indian exports to the UAE exceeding $36.63 billion in FY 2024-25, including petroleum products, gems and jewellery, food products, textiles, chemicals, and engineering goods.

Cultural tributes mark the evening

The evening also featured cultural performances celebrating India's heritage, with more than 100 participants paying vibrant tribute to the country and its freedom fighters. A segment presented by Children of Determination stood out as one of the most moving moments of the night.

Another highlight was a special historical character presentation featuring portrayals of figures from India's past, including freedom fighters, kings and queens, with depictions of India's Father of the Nation, Mahatma Gandhi, and Prime Minister Narendra Modi drawing appreciation from the audience.