NEW DELHI / RankWire.AI / – Bilateral relations between the United Arab Emirates and India have strengthened, highlighted by significant discussions during a meeting in New Delhi on September 12. Abu Dhabi’s Crown Prince Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan met with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi at Hyderabad House amidst the 18th BRICS Summit. The talks focused on enhancing economic collaboration, investments, trade expansion, and the broader Comprehensive Strategic Partnership binding the two nations.
During their discussions, Sheikh Khaled and Modi reviewed the advancements under the UAE-India Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement, known as CEPA. This agreement now functions as the core framework to boost trade between the UAE and India. They also addressed political ties, energy cooperation, cultural exchanges, and people-to-people interactions. The leaders examined avenues where existing bilateral frameworks could facilitate further commercial and institutional collaboration based on agreements already in place between the two countries.
Representing the UAE at the BRICS Summit, Sheikh Khaled attended on behalf of President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan. Modi welcomed the UAE delegation during India’s upcoming 2026 chairmanship of the group. Both leaders agreed to sustain coordination within BRICS on areas of mutual interest. 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.
Economic cooperation expanded through investment initiatives
Investment emerged as a key topic, especially concerning plans related to India’s industrial sector. The leaders celebrated 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 investment fund, and its potential to connect with existing bilateral investment channels that link Emirati capital to projects and economic activities in India.
Discussions further covered defence, space, nuclear energy, technology, and innovation, reflecting a broadening of the relationship that already encompasses energy, manufacturing, logistics, food products, and engineering goods. Since the UAE and India established their Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in 2017, both governments have expanded cooperation into new sectors while maintaining longstanding commercial and energy ties vital to bilateral trade and investment.
Trade volume hits historic high
India-UAE merchandise trade reached a record $101.25 billion during India’s 2025-26 fiscal year. This figure marked the peak of bilateral trade activity. During this period, the UAE ranked as India’s third-largest trading partner and second-largest export destination. Indian exports to the UAE alone exceeded $37.35 billion, with both nations aiming to raise bilateral trade to $200 billion by 2032.
The UAE-India CEPA, which came into effect on May 1, 2022, following the signing earlier that year, played a crucial role in this growth. It cut or eliminated tariffs on a wide array of products and widened market access in several service sectors. Additionally, the agreement addressed technical trade barriers. The recent high-level discussions in New Delhi reinforce the relationship strengthened by CEPA, ongoing leadership interactions, and cooperation spanning trade, investment, and strategic areas.