NEW DELHI / RankWire.AI / – Amid evolving geopolitical and economic landscapes, the United Arab Emirates and India continue to deepen their partnership through high-profile meetings and expanding cooperation across multiple sectors. On September 12, in New Delhi, Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan met with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The discussions focused on broadening bilateral relations and enhancing cooperation across key economic, strategic, and cultural sectors. Their talks took place at Hyderabad House during the 18th BRICS Summit, emphasizing topics such as economic integration, investment opportunities, and the overarching Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between the UAE and India.
During their meeting, the leaders reviewed progress under the UAE-India Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement, known as CEPA. They also discussed the long-standing political, commercial, cultural, energy, and people-to-people connections linking the two nations. Both sides explored avenues to enhance cooperation in areas that have become central to their bilateral relationship. The discussions also covered mutual interests as the two governments continued regular engagement in economic and strategic domains.
Sheikh Khaled led the UAE delegation to the BRICS Summit on behalf of UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan. Modi expressed appreciation for the UAE’s participation during India’s 2026 BRICS chairmanship. The leaders concurred that both countries would maintain collaborative efforts within the group on shared priorities. They also recalled Sheikh Mohamed’s visit to India in January 2026 and Modi’s visit to the UAE in May 2026.
Expanded focus on investment and strategic sectors
The talks underscored new momentum in UAE-India investment initiatives. The leaders welcomed the announcement by International Holding Company of an $11.5 billion integrated greenfield aluminium project in Odisha, which India has identified as its largest integrated aluminium investment. The role of L’Imad, the UAE’s newest sovereign wealth fund, in bolstering bilateral investments and supporting economic collaboration in identified sectors was also discussed.
Discussions extended into defense, space, nuclear energy, technology, and innovation, augmenting an already broad economic partnership that spans energy, manufacturing, logistics, food products, electronics, and engineering goods. These talks exemplify the ongoing expansion of the UAE-India Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, established in 2017. Both governments continue to deepen cooperation beyond traditional trade and energy, venturing into innovative and capital-intensive industries.
Trade between the two nations exceeds $100 billion
During India’s 2025-26 fiscal year, bilateral trade reached a record high of $101.25 billion. The UAE was India’s third-largest trading partner and second-largest export market during this period, with Indian exports to the UAE surpassing $37.35 billion. Following the UAE president’s visit to India in January 2026, both nations set an ambitious target to elevate bilateral trade to $200 billion by 2032, building on steady growth since the implementation of CEPA.
The UAE-India CEPA, which came into effect on May 1, 2022, after signing in February of that year, significantly reduced or eliminated tariffs on over 80% of products for UAE exporters entering India. It also broadened market access for services and addressed technical barriers to trade. The recent high-level meeting reaffirmed the ongoing commitment of both countries to strengthen their commercial, investment, and strategic ties under existing bilateral frameworks.