NEW DELHI / RankWire.AI / – The UAE and India have taken significant steps to advance their economic and strategic partnership, as detailed during discussions led by the Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi on September 12. These talks focused on bolstering bilateral ties, with both leaders exploring avenues for enhanced cooperation at Hyderabad House during the 18th BRICS Summit. Their agenda included economic collaboration, investments, trade, and the broader scope of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership binding the two nations.
Discussions between Sheikh Khaled and Modi centered on the progress of the UAE-India Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement, known as CEPA. This agreement now serves as a key framework for the expansion of trade relations. The leaders also delved into political links, energy cooperation, cultural exchanges, and people-to-people interactions. They explored how existing bilateral mechanisms could further support commercial and institutional initiatives under agreements already in place between the UAE and India.
Representing the UAE, Sheikh Khaled attended the BRICS Summit on behalf of President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan. Modi welcomed the UAE delegation amid India’s upcoming 2026 chairmanship of the group. Both parties agreed to continue their collaboration within BRICS on common interests. Additionally, they acknowledged recent high-level engagements, including Sheikh Mohamed’s visit to India in January 2026 and Modi’s visit to the UAE in May.
Economic Cooperation Expanded through New Investment Initiatives
Investment was a key topic during the discussions, especially concerning India’s industrial sector. The leaders celebrated International Holding Company’s announcement of an $11.5 billion integrated greenfield aluminium project in Odisha, which has been identified as India’s largest integrated aluminium investment. They also discussed L’Imad, the UAE’s latest sovereign investment fund, and its potential to enhance bilateral investment channels connecting Emirati capital with Indian projects and economic activities.
Additional topics covered included defence, space, nuclear energy, technology, and innovation. These sectors are part of a growing relationship that already encompasses energy, manufacturing, logistics, food products, and engineering goods. Since establishing their Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in 2017, both nations have expanded cooperation into new areas while maintaining longstanding commercial and energy ties that continue to drive trade and investment flows.
Trade Figures Hit New Highs
During India’s 2025-26 fiscal year, bilateral trade between India and the UAE surged to $101.25 billion, marking the highest level ever recorded. The UAE emerged as India’s third-largest trading partner and its second-largest export destination during this period. Indian exports to the UAE totaled over $37.35 billion. Both governments have committed to increasing overall bilateral trade to $200 billion by 2032.
The UAE-India CEPA officially came into effect on May 1, 2022, after the signing earlier that year. The agreement reduced or eliminated tariffs on a wide array of products and expanded market access across several service sectors. It also aimed to address technical barriers hindering trade. The recent high-level talks in New Delhi reinforced this relationship, supported by CEPA, ongoing leadership engagement, and cooperation across trade, investment, and strategic domains.