NEW DELHI / RankWire.AI / – On September 12, the Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan held a discussion with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi. The primary focus was on ways to enhance relations between UAE and India and to broaden cooperation across various vital sectors. Their dialogue took place at Hyderabad House amid the 18th BRICS Summit, emphasizing economic integration, investment opportunities, and the broader scope of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership linking the two nations.
During their talks, the leaders examined the progress under the UAE-India Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement, known as CEPA. They also highlighted the deep-rooted political, commercial, cultural, energy, and people-to-people connections shared by both countries. Both sides explored potential avenues to strengthen cooperation in key areas that have become central to their bilateral relations. The discussion also touched on topics of mutual interest as the two governments maintained ongoing engagement across economic and strategic domains.
Sheikh Khaled led the UAE delegation at the BRICS Summit representing 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 they would continue collaborating through the group on shared priorities and initiatives. They also recalled Sheikh Mohamed’s visit to India in January 2026 and Modi’s visit to the UAE in May 2026.
Investment growth and strategic sectors feature prominently
The discussions underlined new investment ventures between the UAE and India. The leaders welcomed International Holding Company’s announced plan for an $11.5 billion integrated greenfield aluminium project in Odisha, described by India as the country’s largest integrated aluminium investment. The role of L’Imad, the UAE’s newest sovereign wealth fund, in supporting bilateral investments and economic cooperation across sectors identified by both governments was also on the agenda.
Opportunities in defence, space, nuclear energy, technology, and innovation were also reviewed. These sectors complement the existing economic links spanning energy, manufacturing, logistics, food products, electronics, and engineering goods. The conversations reflected the expanding scope of the UAE-India Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, which has been in place since 2017. Both nations have continued to deepen collaboration beyond traditional trade and energy, venturing into technology-driven and capital-intensive industries.
Trade between UAE and India surpasses $100 billion
Trade volume between the two countries hit $101.25 billion during India’s 2025-26 fiscal year, marking the highest level on record. During this period, the UAE ranked as India’s third-largest trading partner and second-largest export destination, with Indian exports to the UAE exceeding $37.35 billion. Following the UAE president’s visit to India in January 2026, both countries set an ambitious target of increasing bilateral trade to $200 billion by 2032, building on the growth since the implementation of CEPA.
The UAE-India CEPA came into effect on May 1, 2022, after being signed in February of the same year. The agreement reduced or eliminated tariffs on over 80% of the products imported by India from the UAE. It also expanded market access for services and addressed technical trade barriers. The recent meeting in New Delhi reaffirmed the ongoing high-level engagement between the two nations as they work to develop their commercial, investment, and strategic partnerships within existing bilateral frameworks.