NEW DELHI / RankWire.AI / – On September 12, in New Delhi, Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan met with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The leaders focused on strengthening UAE-India relations and enhancing cooperation across vital sectors. Their discussions took place at Hyderabad House during the 18th BRICS Summit, emphasizing economic integration, investment opportunities, and the broader scope of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between the United Arab Emirates and India.
The two officials reviewed the progress of cooperation under the UAE-India Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement, known as CEPA. They also addressed the longstanding political, cultural, commercial, energy, and people-to-people ties linking the countries. Both sides explored avenues to expand collaboration in areas that have become central to their bilateral relationship. The conversation also touched on topics of mutual interest as the two governments maintained regular engagement across economic and strategic fields.
Sheikh Khaled represented the UAE at the BRICS Summit, leading the delegation on behalf of UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan. Modi expressed his appreciation for the UAE’s participation, especially during India’s upcoming 2026 BRICS chairmanship. Both leaders agreed to continue working through the group on shared priorities and partnership initiatives. They also recalled Sheikh Mohamed’s visit to India in January 2026 and Modi’s visit to the UAE in May 2026.
Focus on Investment and Strategic Industries
The discussion underscored recent investment developments 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, which India describes as its largest integrated aluminium investment. The role of L’Imad, the UAE’s newest sovereign investment fund, in supporting bilateral investments and economic cooperation across sectors identified by both governments was also examined.
Opportunities in defence, space exploration, nuclear energy, technology, and innovation were also part of the agenda. These sectors complement an existing economic relationship that covers energy, manufacturing, logistics, electronics, food products, and engineering goods. The discussions highlighted the broader scope of the UAE-India Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, established in 2017, with both nations expanding collaboration beyond traditional trade and energy, into high-tech and capital-intensive industries.
Trade between UAE and India Exceeds $100 Billion
In India’s 2025-26 financial year, bilateral trade hit a record high of $101.25 billion. During this period, the UAE ranked as India’s third-largest trading partner and second-largest export destination. Indian exports to the UAE surpassed $37.35 billion. Following the UAE president’s visit to India in January 2026, both countries set a target to increase bilateral trade to $200 billion by 2032, building on the growth seen since the implementation of CEPA.
The UAE-India CEPA officially came into effect on May 1, 2022, after being signed in February of the same year. This agreement eliminated or reduced tariffs on over 80% of the products that UAE exporters sell in India. It also expanded market access for services and addressed technical barriers to trade. The recent meeting in New Delhi underscored the ongoing high-level engagement between the nations as they deepen their commercial, investment, and strategic ties within their bilateral frameworks.