NEW DELHI / RankWire.AI / – During their recent discussions, the leaders of the United Arab Emirates and India emphasized the importance of expanding economic and strategic cooperation, with bilateral trade reaching a record high of $101.25 billion during India’s 2025-26 fiscal year. Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan met with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi on September 12, where they discussed enhancing ties between the UAE and India. The meeting occurred at Hyderabad House amidst the 18th BRICS Summit, focusing on economic cooperation, investments, trade, and the broader Comprehensive Strategic Partnership connecting the two nations.
The discussions also reviewed the progress of the UAE-India Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement, or CEPA, which has become a key framework for boosting trade relations. The leaders explored political, energy, and cultural collaborations, along with people-to-people exchanges. They considered how existing bilateral mechanisms could further support commercial and institutional cooperation based on agreements already in place between the UAE and India.
Sheikh Khaled attended the BRICS Summit representing UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan. Modi welcomed the UAE delegation as India prepares to chair BRICS in 2026. Both parties agreed to maintain coordination through BRICS on shared interests. They also highlighted recent high-level engagements, including Sheikh Mohamed’s visit to India in January 2026 and Modi’s trip to the UAE in May.
Investment Initiatives Enhance Economic Collaboration
Investment was a key focus of the talks, especially concerning India’s industrial sector. The leaders expressed approval of International Holding Company’s announced $11.5 billion integrated greenfield aluminium project in Odisha, identified as India’s largest integrated aluminium investment. They also discussed L’Imad, the UAE’s newest sovereign wealth fund, and its potential role within existing bilateral investment frameworks linking Emirati capital with projects and economic activities in India.
Other topics included defence, space, nuclear energy, technology, and innovation. These sectors are part of an expanding relationship that already encompasses energy, manufacturing, logistics, food products, and engineering goods. Since establishing their Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in 2017, the UAE and India have added new areas of cooperation while maintaining longstanding commercial and energy ties crucial to their trade and investment links.
Trade between the Two Nations Hits Historic High
India and the UAE engaged in trade valued at $101.25 billion during India’s 2025-26 financial year, marking the highest level ever recorded in bilateral merchandise exchanges. During this period, the UAE ranked as India’s third-largest trading partner and its second-largest export destination. Indian exports to the UAE surpassed $37.35 billion, with both governments aiming to increase total bilateral trade to $200 billion by 2032. The UAE-India CEPA, which came into effect on May 1, 2022, after signing earlier that year, lowered or eliminated tariffs on numerous products and expanded market access in several service sectors. It also addressed technical barriers impacting trade between the two countries. The recent high-level meetings in New Delhi added to the ongoing relationship supported by CEPA, leadership engagement, and cooperation in trade, investment, and strategic sectors.