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As India marks its 77th Republic Day, the celebrations resonate far beyond its borders. In the UAE, home to the world’s largest Indian diaspora, Republic Day has evolved into more than a commemorative occasion. It has become a moment to reflect on shared progress, institutional trust and the collective ambition of Viksit Bharat: a developed, inclusive and future-ready India deeply connected to global growth corridors.

Few bilateral relationships embody this aspiration as strongly as the India-UAE partnership. Built on mutual respect, economic collaboration and people-to-people ties, it continues to mature into one of the most dynamic strategic relationships of our time. Within this framework, institutions that bridge business, policy and community play a critical role. The Indian Business and Professional Council (IBPC Dubai) is proud to be catalyst for Indo-UAE collaboration.

Established in 2003 and licensed by Dubai Chambers, IBPC Dubai is among the UAE’s oldest and most respected Indian-led business councils. Over the past two decades, the Council has worked consistently to empower Indian businesses and professionals while strengthening institutional linkages between India and the UAE. Today, as India charts its path towards becoming a $5 trillion economy and beyond, IBPC Dubai’s mission aligns closely with national priorities of innovation, digitalisation, sustainability and inclusive growth.

IBPC Dubai represents a diverse and influential community of entrepreneurs, professionals and industry leaders. Operating through six active Focus Groups and a dedicated forum, the Council curates sector-specific initiatives that collectively engage more than 50,000 stakeholders annually. This scale of engagement, combined with continuity and credibility, has positioned IBPC Dubai as a trusted platform in the evolving India–UAE economic narrative.

A defining theme shaping conversations around Republic Day this year is Viksit Bharat and the role of technology, particularly artificial intelligence and digital transformation, in achieving it. IBPC Dubai has been at the forefront of aligning Indian innovation with Dubai’s forward-looking ecosystem. With its progressive regulatory environment, global connectivity and emphasis on future industries, Dubai offers Indian enterprises an ideal launchpad across sectors such as fintech, healthcare, logistics, education and smart governance. This convergence aligns naturally with Dubai’s D33 Economic Agenda, which seeks to position the emirate among the world’s top three global cities. IBPC Dubai’s focus on trade facilitation, startup enablement, SME growth and technology collaboration fits squarely within this shared vision.

Equally important is IBPC Dubai’s close and enduring association with Dubai Chambers. This partnership has enabled the Council to actively support India’s ambitions of becoming a global manufacturing and export powerhouse. As India scales production across food, pharmaceuticals, engineering goods and digital services, Dubai’s role as a global export and re-export hub becomes increasingly strategic. Through structured dialogues, market-access initiatives and policy engagement, IBPC Dubai continues to work towards translating the India–UAE Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (Cepa) into measurable outcomes for businesses on both sides.

The council’s impact is perhaps best reflected in its diverse and high-impact calendar of initiatives. Flagship platforms such as the AI Summit at Dubai Chambers, the annual Retail Conclave, the Capital Connect Series linking enterprises with regional investors, and the Taxation and Compliance Series addressing regulatory preparedness have established IBPC Dubai as a strategic convener rather than a conventional networking body. Initiatives such as the Youth Conclave, the Steel and Alloy Symposium, and the India Dialogue Series featuring leaders from the Reserve Bank of India and policymakers further underscore the council’s role in shaping informed, future-oriented discourse.

As Republic Day approaches, new areas of collaboration are also gaining momentum. The film and creative industries are emerging as promising avenues, supported by India’s evolving subsidy frameworks and the UAE’s world-class production infrastructure. Sustainability-driven programmes have become a core pillar of IBPC Dubai’s agenda, reflecting the growing imperative to align economic growth with climate responsibility. The Council continues to deepen its engagement with manufacturing, SMEs, startups and micro-enterprises, creating pathways for innovation, capital access and cross-border expansion.

Importantly, IBPC Dubai’s vision extends beyond commerce. Our sustained focus on sports and culture, women empowerment and youth engagement reflects a broader understanding that long-term economic progress must be anchored in social advancement, leadership development and community well-being. This collective institutional effort has also found resonance at the highest levels. IBPC Dubai Chairman Siddharth Balachandran has recently been conferred the Dubai Community Service Appreciation Award (5th cycle) in the category of Individuals — Community Service Medal. The honour, to be presented by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, recognises sustained contributions to community service, business leadership and the strengthening of India-UAE ties. It is a recognition that reflects not only individual leadership, but the broader credibility and impact of IBPC Dubai within the UAE’s institutional ecosystem.

As India celebrates its Republic Day, the UAE stands as a vital partner in India’s global journey. Institutions like IBPC Dubai, rooted in trust, expertise and community engagement, are uniquely positioned to convert goodwill into growth and policy into progress. In doing so, they exemplify how the India-UAE partnership continues to evolve into one that is resilient, innovative and future-focused, much like the vision of Viksit Bharat itself.

— By Dr Sahitya Chaturvedi, Secretary General, Indian Business and Professional Council (IBPC Dubai).