By Rahul Dixit
The recent years have witnessed a remarkable bonhomie between India and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) on the back of growing realisation that both sides are an integral element of each other’s economic and political future. This understanding is also reflected in the growing bilateral ties on various fronts. In fact, the UAE has become India’s closest partner in the Arab world and the equation has withstood some critical moments including the recent convulsions over a religious storm. The relation has now opened the door for cultural cooperation between the two sides from an official platform, the ‘Emirati-Indian Cultural Council’, which will be established through a memorandum of understanding. This platform is another good beginning towards deepening of shared understanding between the Arab world and India. It must be welcomed wholeheartedly, for, a Cultural Council always works as an alley towards a larger broadway.
The soft power that culture brings with it plays a critical role in building a solid foundation for the future. As things stand, India and the Emirates have a lot of common interests including cultural preferences. Establishment of a Cultural Council, therefore, is a perfect stage to further deepen the understanding of each other’s inherent thinking. It would pave the way for further sensitization towards each other’s beliefs and traditions and in the process will form a common idea where mutual interests would be taken care of quite easily. Even otherwise, encouraging joint cultural projects and dialogue between leaders of both the countries is essential for a larger cooperation.
This Cultural Council is necessary for multiple reasons, first and foremost being the varied thinking of the Indian and Arab societies. There are quite a few closeted ideas that need to be explored by both sides. Presenting those through a cultural forum is the best way to bring it in overall thinking of bilateral relations. The two sides have already moved quite well towards forming a resilient economic, defence and strategic relationship. It could be seen in the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) which was negotiated and finalised in just 88 days. The significant trade milestone was achieved on the strength of understanding. Cultural exchanges will further boost this understanding.
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