One of the most charming moments that beautifully summed up the friendship between India and the UAE was Noura Al Kaabi, the UAE Minister of State at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, who put the hearts of over 100,000 attendees in Dubai’s Zabeel Park on fire by speaking to India through Hindi.
As she took the stage amid loud cheers, Al Kaabi opened her address with confidence and grace, saying, “Namaste! Aaj aapke saath yahan hona mere liye bahut sammaan ki baat hai,” i.e., “Namaste! It is an honor to be with you here today.” The crowd erupted in applause, instantly captivated by her gesture.
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A Heartfelt Gesture Born from Encouragement
In her speech, Al Kaabi recounted how she got the Hindi surprise. This was possible because I repeated that lovely sentence I used with my colleagues over the phone, and I smiled. And my mother urged me to tell more. She told me to say, ‘Tum kaise ho? ‘Hum tumse pyaar karte ’hain!’—that is, we love you. The audience reaction could not be overestimated; the crowd was clapping, laughing, and cheering as the words of the minister touched the core of the Indian diaspora.
A Lifelong Connection with Indian Culture
Al Kaabi had disclosed that she has a strong attachment to the Indian culture. “I used to watch Bollywood films,” she remembered. I find it simple to repeat the words and pronounce them. You are speaking of watching films, listening to music, eating Indian cuisine, and being associated with such a rich society, etc.
She replied with a little humility that she thought it was a shame that she had not mastered the Hindi language. Her brief but memorable Hindi welcoming gesture easily became one of the most discussed moments of the night—a demonstration of how the UAE and India share their mutual love and appreciation.
Celebrating a Timeless Friendship
In her speech, Al Kaabi emphasized the unique and historic relationship between the two countries, a relationship founded on trust, respect, and shared visions. It is an old-established relationship, centuries old, she said. Traders, craftsmen, and dreamers crossed the waters between the Gulf and the Indian subcontinent across generations, bringing with them not only goods but also ideas, traditions, and hopes. The interactions formed a common cultural rhythm, which is still being felt in our society today.
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She commended the Indian community on their contributions, which have been invaluable to the development of the UAE. Indian professionals and families are dedicated and high achievers in all aspects of life, such as education, healthcare, technology, and the arts. They have created lives and generations and contributed to the success story of the UAE, she said. The Indian community is not merely a part of our story. They have contributed to some of the most inspiring chapters in our country.
A Message of Unity and Hope
Al Kaabi ended her speech by giving the message of the future of friendship and cooperation: We will go on building bridges together. “I hope this friendship between our people will shine on in the future,” she said, then bade the audience a warm Happy Diwali.
When fireworks painted the night sky and Bollywood rhythms filled the air, Al Kaabi was not the only person chanting a unanimous truth that the ties between India and the UAE are not merely diplomatic but very personal and cultural, and enjoyed in every smile, song, and shared moment at Zabeel Park.