Dubai hosts over 100,000 for India’s largest cultural celebration in UAE
Noura Al Kaabi highlights shared cultural values and historic ties with the South Asian nation
DUBAI – Zabeel Park in Dubai transformed into a vibrant showcase of colours, music, and cultural pride on Sunday as more than 100,000 people attended the UAE’s largest celebration of Indian heritage.
The spectacular public event, organised by Emirates Loves India, drew residents, visitors, and dignitaries for an evening that honoured the longstanding friendship between the United Arab Emirates and India.
Noura Al Kaabi, Minister of State, graced the occasion alongside A Amarnath, Charge d’Affaires of the Embassy of India to the UAE, and a host of diplomats, business leaders, and prominent community figures. Together, they joined the Indian community in celebrating a partnership that extends beyond borders – one built on shared history, mutual respect, and cultural exchange.
Emirates Loves India
The event offered a captivating mix of entertainment, art, and culinary delights. From dazzling folk dances and soulful musical performances to vibrant displays of traditional attire and handicrafts, every corner of Zabeel Park reflected the creative energy of India’s diverse culture.
Food stalls brimmed with regional favourites, filling the air with the aroma of spices, while families enjoyed live shows, art displays, and interactive cultural zones. The evening encapsulated the UAE’s spirit of inclusivity – a place where communities from around the world come together to celebrate one another’s traditions.
Noura Al Kaabi said, “We come together to celebrate a friendship that has stood strong for centuries, a relationship built on trust, respect, and shared aspirations. The United Arab Emirates and the Republic of India are connected not only by geography but by deep human and cultural ties that continue to shape our story today.”
She added, “For generations, traders, craftsmen, and dreamers crossed the waters between the Gulf and the Indian subcontinent, carrying with them not only goods but ideas, traditions, and hopes. These exchanges created a shared cultural rhythm that still resonates across our societies today.”
Now in its second year, Emirates Loves India has quickly evolved into one of the UAE’s most anticipated cultural events. This year’s record-breaking attendance reaffirmed the strength of UAE–India relations and reflected the country’s dedication to fostering coexistence among its residents.
Recognising Indian achievers
The highlight of the evening was a special ceremony recognising leading members of the Indian community for their contributions to the UAE’s progress across business, healthcare, and social development.
Noura Al Kaabi honoured distinguished figures including Dr Vasu Shroff, Chairman of Regal Group; Ram Pancholia, Treasurer of Indian High School and Chairman of Shri Krishna Temple; Dr Sanjay Paithankar, Founder of Right Health Clinic; Dr Romit Purohit, Founding member of Doctors of Indian Origins; Abdullah Poyil, Managing Director of Al Madina Group; and Naresh Kumar Bhawnani, Founder of West Zone Group.
Other honourees included Jasbir Bassi, Founder of Car Fare Group; LT Pagarani, Chairman of Choithrams; Tariq Chauhan, Co-founder and Vice Chairman of EFS Facilities Services Group; Kinana Muder Jamaluddin, Ambassador of the Bohra Community; Rohit Gupta, CEO of KG International; Ravi Menon, Chairman of Sobha Group; Eugene Mayne, Founder and CEO of Tristar Group; and Ayesha Khan, Founder of Food “ATM”.
Strengthening UAE-India ties
The event also spotlighted the ever-growing partnership between the UAE and India. Rooted in centuries of trade and cultural exchange, the relationship was formalised through the Cultural Agreement of 1975 and deepened with the signing of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership Agreement in 2017.
In recent years, economic collaboration has reached new heights under the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), signed in February 2022 and implemented in May the same year. The impact has been remarkable – non-oil bilateral trade reached $37.6 billion in the first half of 2025, a 33.9 per cent increase from the same period in 2024.
The UAE remains home to one of the world’s largest Indian communities, whose contributions extend across every sector – from entrepreneurship and healthcare to education and innovation. As the evening at Zabeel Park came to a close, the celebration stood as a living symbol of friendship between two nations bound by shared values, cultural kinship, and a common vision for the future.