Bridging the Gulf | Hardcover

Bridging the Gulf: The Remaking of the India–UAE Relationship by Navdeep Suri examines the long history and recent transformation of relations between India and the United Arab Emirates. Drawing on his experience as India's ambassador to the UAE from 2016 to 2019, Suri explores the political, commercial, diplomatic, and strategic developments that have shaped the relationship between the two countries.

The book traces connections built through trade, migration, culture, and the Arabian Sea before examining their expansion into areas including investment, energy, defence, aviation, and artificial intelligence. Combining diplomatic experience with interviews and archival research, it looks at the people, negotiations, historical forces, and economic links behind the evolving India–UAE partnership.

About This Book

India and the UAE have been connected for centuries through commercial and cultural exchange. Bridging the Gulf examines how these older connections provided foundations for a relationship that has developed significantly in recent decades.

Navdeep Suri explores the role of western India's historic trading links, the use of the Indian rupee across the Gulf, and the gold trade in bringing the two economies closer. He also examines how political perceptions, including the two countries' respective views of Pakistan, influenced their diplomatic relationship.

The book considers the relationship across multiple areas, including politics, trade, investment, energy, defence, aviation, and artificial intelligence. Suri combines diplomatic memoir with historical research, interviews with key participants, archival material, and anecdotes to present the personalities and negotiations behind the relationship's development.

What You'll Discover

• The centuries-old links between India and the UAE through trade and migration
• How western India's commercial connections shaped the relationship
• The role of the Indian rupee and gold trade in regional commerce
• Political factors that influenced India–UAE diplomatic ties
• Developments in trade, investment, energy, defence, and aviation
• The growing relevance of artificial intelligence to bilateral relations
• The role of the Indian community in the UAE
• Diplomatic negotiations and personalities that shaped the partnership

Perfect For

• Readers interested in India–UAE relations and international affairs
• Students and researchers studying diplomacy and foreign policy
• Readers interested in India's economic and strategic relationships
• Those exploring the history of trade and migration across the Gulf
• Readers interested in diplomatic memoirs and contemporary history

Why You'll Love This Book

Bridging the Gulf: The Remaking of the India–UAE Relationship combines diplomatic experience, historical research, interviews, and personal observations to examine how India and the UAE have developed their modern relationship. Navdeep Suri connects centuries-old commercial links with contemporary diplomacy, trade, investment, energy, and strategic cooperation.