Comparative Essay: Exploring Cultural and Economic Ties of UAE & India

This essay provides a comprehensive comparison of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and India, two rapidly growing Asian economies, focusing on their history, people, customs, and economies. It traces the historical roots of both nations, from ancient civilizations to periods of British influence, highlighting similarities and differences in their development. The essay delves into the demographics, religious practices, and cultural values of Emiratis and Indians, noting the significant presence of the Indian diaspora in the UAE. It also explores the customs and traditions of both countries, including their culinary preferences and political systems. Economically, the essay contrasts the UAE's oil-dependent, high-GDP economy with India's developing mixed economy, while also noting the recent currency swap agreement aimed at strengthening economic ties. The essay concludes that despite differences, the UAE and India share historical and cultural connections that foster successful political and economic collaborations.

ENGLISH ASSIGNMENTS

India and UAE are two popular and fastest growing economies of Asia. There have
been recent significant political, economic and policy developments and agreements between
both the countries. The following essay is intended to compare and contrast the various facets
of the countries UAE and India. The essay will shed light on the history, people, customs, and
the economy of both the countries. The essay will conclude that successful political
relationships can be built in the form of sharing and embracing of each other’s cultures,
people, and economic policies.
The country UAE is comprised of seven emirates, namely the Dubai, Abu Dhabi,
Ajman, Sharjah, Umm Al Quwain, Fujairah, and the Ras al Khaimah. The history of the
region can be marked to the period 6000 B.C, when the federation was not into existence and
the surrounding area was referred to as the Arabian Peninsula (UAE Government, 2018).
Similarly, the history of India is old too and can be traced back to the Stone Age followed by
the Indus Valley Civilisation. The UAE region underwent various ages and incidental
transformations that eventually resulted into the culture what is seen today. Some of the
various transformations are known in the form of The Palaeolithic Age, The Bronze Age, and
The Iron Age. Similarly, Indian history has had a deep influence of various empires such as
the Mughal emprise, Maratha Empire, Sikh Empire and other such kingdoms. Following this,
the country was also influenced and controlled by the British rule. The British rule continued
until the year 1971, after which the British-Trucial Sheikhdoms treaty expired, resulting into
the independence of the sheikhdoms. It is also significant to note that British rule has also
been a significant part in the history of India, until India got the independence in the year
1947. Thus, history of India and UAE are similar on the lines of the British rules and the rich
account of developments.
The citizens of UAE are known as Emiratis or Emirati People (Everyculture.com,
2018). On the other side, citizens of India are referred to as Indians. One can find many of the

difference between the people belong to UAE and people belong to India. Most of the people
in UAE follow, and Practice Islam as their religion. They are mostly predominantly Sunni
Muslims and therefore every political and social matter is used to be driven by Islamic
(Sharia) Law (Commisceo-global.com, 2018). On the different side, in India, different people
practice a different religion. Most people practice Hinduism (Censusindia.Gov.In, 2018).
Children in UAE are highly nurtured and prized in the UAE, whereas in India, many of the
children are a victim of child labour and condition of children in this country is not good as
compared to UAE. It must be noted that the Indian community in UAE is regarded as the
largest NRI community in the world (Kader, 2018). This is an evidence that the UAE
population is comprised of a number of Indian professionals, entrepreneurs and the blue-
collar workers, thereby contributing towards the development of the both the countries.
If to talk about the values of Emiratis and Indians, this is to mention that religion has a
huge influence on their values. Because of religion, there is a difference between the values
of Emiratis and Indians based on attire, cuisines, music, and lifestyle.
Customs have been a part of the UAE since approximately hundreds of years and
have undergone various phases. It is significant to note that the opening of the Mecca marked
the arrival of Islam in the area of UAE, marking the official language to be Arabic. In
contrast to that the rich cultural heritage of India marks the country a home to several
predominant religion practices namely, the Hinduism, Islam, Christianity, Sikhism, and other
minors. On the lines of the political customs, while the members of the parliament elect the
president of India, the president of UAE is elected and chosen among the seven Emirs. One
of the striking similarities between UAE and India is in the form fondness for rich and spicy
collection of cuisines of both the countries (Zakarla, 2017). As the Indian population make up
for a significant part in the UAE community, both share and appreciate each others’ presence
in the commerce, culture, kinship and the overall success of the country.

If to talk about the economies of both of the countries, this is to mention that UAE has
a better economic condition in comparison to India. It is the second largest economy in the
Arab world (Gulfnews.com, 2013). In the terms of Annual GDP as well as GDP per capita,
UAE is performing better. According to the data published on the website named
countryeconomy.com, in the year 2016, GDP per capita was 1941$. On the different side,
GDP per capita of India was 40,425$. The oil industry has great significance in the economy
of UAE (Countryeconomy.com, 2018). In the future UAE will be benefited by a diversified
and sustainable economy, as the same is the vision of UAE government for year 2021. India
is the sixth largest economy in the terms of GDP and is a developing mixed economy. Indian
Government is also putting efforts for the betterment of it is national production and economy
and Prime Minister of the country Mr. Narendra Modi is developing unique policies and
plans for the same. Recently, the two countries have signed a currency swap agreement, to
reduce the India’s dependency upon the dollar (Chaudhury, 2018). This a significant political
move and is a clear evidence of the friendly economic ties between the two diverse nations.
Thus, from the discussions in the previous parts it can be concluded that the countries
UAE and India share a lots of similarities in terms of their history and cultures. This is in
coexistence with the differences in the form of demographics and the economy. However, bot
the countries have embraced their differences and similarities and have come together for
various business and political agreements.

References
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