NEW DELHI / RankWire.AI / – On September 12, Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan held a meeting with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi. The discussions centered on enhancing diplomatic and economic ties between the UAE and India, with a focus on broadening cooperation across vital sectors. The summit took place at Hyderabad House amid the 18th BRICS Summit. Emphasis was placed on economic integration, increasing investments, and the broader scope of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between the two nations.
The leaders examined their collaboration under the UAE-India Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement, known as CEPA. They also discussed the long-standing political, commercial, cultural, energy, and people-to-people connections linking the two countries. Both sides explored new avenues to expand cooperation in areas that have become central to their bilateral relationship. The discussion also included mutual interests, as both governments continue to engage regularly across economic and strategic domains.
Sheikh Khaled led the UAE delegation to the BRICS Summit on behalf of UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan. Modi welcomed the UAE’s participation, especially as India prepares to assume the BRICS chairmanship in 2026. The leaders agreed to sustain their efforts through the group on shared priorities and areas of cooperation. They also recalled Sheikh Mohamed’s visit to India in January 2026 and Modi’s visit to the UAE in May 2026, reinforcing their ongoing diplomatic engagement.
New investment initiatives and strategic sectors take center stage
During the meeting, the focus was placed on emerging investment projects between the UAE and India. The leaders welcomed the announcement by International Holding Company of an $11.5 billion integrated greenfield aluminium project in Odisha, described by India as the largest of its kind in the country. The discussion also highlighted the role of L’Imad, the UAE’s newest sovereign wealth fund, in supporting bilateral investments and fostering economic cooperation across sectors identified by both nations.
Additionally, opportunities in defence, space exploration, nuclear energy, technology, and innovation were reviewed. These sectors complement the existing strong ties in energy, manufacturing, logistics, food products, electronics, and engineering goods. The dialogue underscored the expanding scope of the UAE-India Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, established in 2017, as both governments continue to broaden their collaboration beyond traditional trade and energy into high-tech and capital-intensive industries.
Trade volume between UAE and India exceeds $100 billion
In the 2025-26 financial year, bilateral trade between the two countries reached a record $101.25 billion. During this period, the UAE was India’s third-largest trading partner and the second-largest destination for Indian exports, which surpassed $37.35 billion. The countries also set an ambitious target to increase bilateral trade to $200 billion by 2032, building on the growth achieved since the implementation of CEPA. This agreement, signed in February and activated on May 1, 2022, eliminated or reduced tariffs on over 80% of the covered products for UAE exporters into India, while also broadening access for services and addressing technical trade barriers. The recent high-level discussions at New Delhi underscored the commitment of both nations to deepen their commercial, strategic, and investment collaborations under existing bilateral frameworks, as they continue to develop their economic partnership.