The UAE's Minister of Climate Change and Environment, Dr Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi has highlighted strong bilateral ties between the UAE and India that extend beyond economic synergies. He was delivering a keynote address at the Kerala Literature Festival 2020.<br />''<br />''Dr. Zeyoudi, said that the UAE and India enjoy robust and long-standing trade relations. He said, volume of trade between the two countries was valued at 180 million US Dollars annually in the 1970s, and is 60 billion USD today. This makes India the second largest trading partner of the UAE, while the UAE is India's third largest trading partner after China and the United States.<br />''<br />''The Minister added that strong cultural and people-to-people ties unite the countries. He said more than 3.3 million Indians call the UAE their home away from home. Highlighting commitment of the two countries to the environment, Dr. Al Zeyoudi said, the two nations share a strong sense of responsibility to the environment, and are firm advocates of climate action and sustainability. He also appreciated India's commitment to the Paris Agreement.<br />''<br />''<span style="color: #222222;">Held under the theme, 'Climate Change and the Environment', Kerala Literature Festival 2020 was held on 16th and 17th January on the beaches of Calicut. It is the second largest cultural gathering and the fastest growing literature festival on the continent. The UAE Minister of Climate Change and the Environment was the Guest of Honour at the Festival.</span><br />