UAE Ministerās Hindi Greeting Wins Hearts at Dubaiās India Festival
Noura Al Kaabiās Hindi Speech Steals the Show at āEmirates Loves Indiaā Celebration in Dubai
Dubai: It was a moment that captured the spirit of friendship and unity between the UAE and India. Noura Al Kaabi, UAE Minister of State at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, won hearts on Sunday night when she addressed a crowd of more than 100,000 people at Dubaiās Zabeel Park ā and began her speech in Hindi.
Her opening words, āNamaste! Aaj aapke saath yahan hona mere liye bahut sammaan ki baat haiā (āIt is an honour to be with you here todayā), drew thunderous applause from the audience gathered for the āEmirates Loves Indiaā mega cultural event.
The spontaneous cheer that followed reflected the warmth and affection shared between the two nations, as Al Kaabiās message bridged cultures through language, emotion, and sincerity.
A moment that resonated deeply
Speaking to Gulf News after her address, Al Kaabi shared the backstory behind her Hindi greeting.
āThis happened thanks to repeating that beautiful sentence I had with colleagues on the phone,ā she said with a smile. āAnd my mother encouraged me to say more. She told me to say: āTum kaise ho? Hum tumse pyaar karte hain!ā ā meaning āWe love youā.ā
The gesture instantly went viral among attendees, with many calling it a āhistoric and heartwarming momentā that symbolized genuine cultural respect.
A lifelong connection to Indian culture
Al Kaabi revealed that her connection with Indian culture runs deep. āI grew up watching Bollywood movies,ā she said. āItās easy for me to repeat the words and pronounce them. Iāve grown up listening to Indian songs, eating Indian food, and being surrounded by such a rich community.ā
She added modestly, āI think itās a shame that I donāt speak Hindi fluently.ā Yet, her brief but heartfelt Hindi greeting proved more powerful than fluency ā it embodied understanding, inclusivity, and friendship.
Celebrating an enduring bond
The minister used her platform to highlight the longstanding relationship between the UAE and India, one built on ātrust, respect, and shared aspirations.ā
āIt is a special and historic relationship,ā she said in her speech. āWe come together to celebrate a friendship that has stood strong for centuries ā a relationship built on trust, respect, and shared aspirations. Tonight, we celebrate one of the worldās most enduring friendships.ā
She reflected on centuries of trade, migration, and cultural exchange that have shaped both nations. āFor generations, traders, craftsmen, and dreamers crossed the waters between the Gulf and the Indian subcontinent,ā she said. āThey carried with them not just goods, but ideas, traditions, and hopes. Those exchanges created a shared cultural rhythm that still resonates across our society today.ā
Tribute to Indian expatriates
Al Kaabi also acknowledged the vital role of Indian expatriates in the UAEās growth story.
āIn every field ā from education to healthcare, from technology to the arts ā Indian professionals and families contribute with dedication and excellence,ā she said. āThey have built lives, raised generations, and helped shape the UAEās success story.ā
She emphasized that the Indian community is not just part of the UAEās narrative ā āthey have helped write some of the most inspiring chapters in the history of our country.ā
Her words struck a chord with the crowd, many of whom see the UAE as their second home. With over 4.3 million Indians living in the UAE, the event served as a powerful reminder of shared values and interwoven histories.
A friendship for the future
Concluding her address, Al Kaabi reaffirmed the UAEās commitment to strengthening bilateral and cultural ties.
āTogether, we will continue to build bridges,ā she said. āMay this friendship between our people continue to illuminate the future.ā
She ended her speech with a heartfelt āHappy Diwali!ā, leaving the audience cheering, clapping, and waving Indian flags ā a fitting finale to a night that celebrated harmony, heritage, and humanity.
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