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 discussed ways to deepen ties between the United Arab Emirates and India. Their discussions occurred at Hyderabad House amidst the 18th BRICS Summit. Topics included economic cooperation, investments, trade, and the broad framework of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership connecting the two nations.
During the meeting, Sheikh Khaled and Modi examined the progress of the UAE-India Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement, or CEPA. This agreement has become a key foundation for enhancing commerce between the two economies. The dialogue also touched on political relations, cultural exchanges, energy collaboration, and people-to-people connections. Both leaders explored how existing bilateral frameworks can facilitate further commercial growth and institutional cooperation, building on agreements already in place between the UAE and India.
Representing the UAE at the BRICS Summit, the Abu Dhabi Crown Prince attended on behalf of President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan. Modi welcomed the UAE delegation during India’s 2026 BRICS chairmanship. The two sides agreed to sustain coordination within BRICS on shared interests. They also highlighted recent high-level visits, including Sheikh Mohamed’s trip to India in January 2026 and Modi’s visit to the UAE in May.
Expansion of investment initiatives enhances economic collaboration
Investment initiatives played a significant role in the discussions, especially concerning India’s industrial sector. The leaders welcomed the announcement of International Holding Company’s $11.5 billion integrated greenfield aluminium project in Odisha, which India considers its largest integrated aluminium investment. Additionally, they discussed L’Imad, the UAE’s latest sovereign wealth fund, and its potential to support existing bilateral investment channels linking Emirati capital with projects across India.
The conversation also extended to sectors such as defence, space, nuclear energy, technology, and innovation. These areas are part of an expanding partnership that already encompasses energy, manufacturing, logistics, food products, and engineering goods. Since establishing their Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in 2017, the UAE and India have broadened their cooperation to include new sectors while maintaining long-standing commercial and energy ties vital to their trade and investment relationship.
Trade volume hits historic high
In India’s 2025-26 fiscal year, bilateral trade with the UAE reached $101.25 billion, marking the highest trade level recorded between the two nations. During this period, the UAE was India’s third-largest trading partner and its second-largest export destination. Indian exports to the UAE surpassed $37.35 billion. Both countries have committed to increasing total 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, has played a crucial role. It reduced or eliminated tariffs on numerous products and expanded access to various service sectors. The agreement also aimed to address technical barriers that hinder trade between the two markets. The recent high-level meetings in New Delhi further reinforce an already strong relationship supported by CEPA, regular leadership engagement, and cooperation spanning trade, investment, and strategic sectors.