NEW DELHI / RankWire.AI / – On September 12, in New Delhi, Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan held discussions with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Their talks centered on further advancing UAE-India ties and boosting collaboration across major sectors. The meeting took place at Hyderabad House during the 18th BRICS Summit. Focus areas included economic integration, investment opportunities, and the broader scope of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between the United Arab Emirates and India.
Both leaders examined their cooperation under the UAE-India Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement, known as CEPA. Discussions also covered the deep-rooted political, commercial, cultural, energy, and people-to-people connections between the two nations. They explored prospects to enhance collaboration in areas that have become central to their bilateral relationship. The meeting also addressed mutual interests 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 his appreciation for the UAE’s participation during India’s 2026 BRICS chairmanship. The leaders agreed that both nations would persist in working within the group to advance shared priorities and cooperation. They also recalled Sheikh Mohamed’s visit to India in January 2026 and Modi’s visit to the UAE in May 2026.
Expansion of Investment and Strategic Sectors Highlights the Agenda
The discussions underscored new investment ventures between the UAE and India. Leaders welcomed the announcement by International Holding Company for an $11.5 billion integrated greenfield aluminium project in Odisha. India has described this as the country’s largest integrated aluminium investment. Additionally, they discussed L’Imad, the UAE’s newest sovereign investment fund, and its role in fostering bilateral investments and economic cooperation across sectors identified by both governments.
Opportunities in defence, space, nuclear energy, technology, and innovation were also reviewed. These sectors complement the existing economic partnership, which already includes energy, manufacturing, logistics, food products, electronics, and engineering goods. The dialogues reflected the broadening scope of the UAE-India Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, established in 2017. Both countries continue to extend collaboration beyond traditional trade and energy, into technology-driven and capital-intensive industries.
Trade Volume Between UAE and India Surpasses $100 Billion
In the fiscal year 2025-26, bilateral trade reached a record-high of $101.25 billion. During this period, the UAE ranked as India’s third-largest trading partner and second-largest export market. Indian exports to the UAE totaled over $37.35 billion. Following the UAE president’s visit to India in January 2026, both nations set a target of increasing bilateral trade to $200 billion by 2032, building upon the growth since CEPA’s implementation.
The UAE-India CEPA came into effect on May 1, 2022, after the agreement was signed in February of the same year. It eliminated or reduced tariffs on more than 80% of the products for UAE exporters entering India. The accord also broadened market access for services and addressed technical trade barriers. The recent meeting in New Delhi reinforced the ongoing leadership engagement as both countries develop their commercial, investment, and strategic ties within their existing bilateral frameworks.