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Leading cross-border innovation from the UAE to India and beyond
On this Independence Day, India and the UAE stand poised to shape a shared future of innovation, trade, and sustainable growth
- PUBLISHED: Fri 15 Aug 2025, 8:00 AM
- By:
- Nazeer Veliyil
“Freedom is not only the right to dream, but the courage to turn those dreams into bridges across the world.”
From the shimmering skyline of Dubai, where the desert meets the sea, my thoughts drift homeward to the monsoon-washed streets of India. The distance is measured not in miles, but in memories — of tricolour flags fluttering in August winds, of voices rising in unison to sing of freedom hard-won.
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As India celebrates its Independence Day, I stand as an expatriate, yet feel the heartbeat of my nation echo within me as strongly as ever.
Trade as a bridge in changing times
For me, this day carries both personal and professional meaning. Years spent building partnerships across continents from my base in the UAE have shown me that trade is more than transactions — it is the meeting of aspirations.
Watching goods and ideas flow through ports and markets across regions, I see the mark of India’s spirit everywhere: resilience, ingenuity, and a quiet determination to connect cultures through enterprise.
The world, however, is far from still. Over the past year, shifting geopolitics have tested the strength of these bridges. The tariff policies initiated by US President Donald Trump have redrawn supply chains and reshaped the dynamics of global trade. While the main focus may have been on China, the ripples have reached industries worldwide, including automotive. For Indian enterprises, the lesson has been clear: diversify, innovate, and find opportunity within disruption.
A gateway to a greener future
Dubai offers a unique vantage point in these changing times. The UAE’s open-trade ethos and strategic position at the crossroads of Europe, Asia, and Africa complement India’s rising industrial and technological capabilities.
In the automotive sector, our potential extends far beyond trade in parts and vehicles — it includes co-creating solutions for electric mobility, advancing AI-driven logistics, and leading the shift towards greener, more sustainable transport systems. India’s rise on the global stage is no longer a hopeful projection — it is reality. With a skilled engineering workforce, robust manufacturing hubs, and accelerating digital transformation, India has become a partner of choice for markets seeking quality and innovation.
Meanwhile, the UAE’s unmatched infrastructure and business-friendly climate make it the ideal launchpad for India’s products, ideas, and expertise to reach the world.
As the tricolour rises on this day of remembrance and resolve, I raise a heartfelt toast — to India, bold in its dreams; to the UAE, steadfast in its vision; and to the shared horizon where our journeys meet in purpose and prosperity.
Jai Hind!
— Nazeer Veliyil is the CEO of BorgRollsWarner (UK) LTD.