NEW DELHI / RankWire.AI / – On September 12, Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, met with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi. Their dialogue centered on enhancing UAE-India relations and increasing collaboration across vital sectors. The meeting took place at Hyderabad House during the 18th BRICS Summit. Discussions emphasized economic integration, investment opportunities, and the broader scope of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between the United Arab Emirates and India.
Both leaders examined cooperation under the UAE-India Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement, known as CEPA. They also addressed the longstanding political, commercial, cultural, energy, and people-to-people connections linking their nations. The leaders explored ways to deepen collaboration in key areas that have become central to their bilateral relationship. The discussions also touched on mutual interests as the two governments maintained regular engagement in economic and strategic domains.
Leading the UAE delegation at the BRICS Summit, Sheikh Khaled represented President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan. Modi expressed appreciation for the UAE’s involvement during India’s 2026 BRICS chairmanship. Both leaders agreed to continue joint efforts within the group on shared priorities and cooperation. They also recalled Sheikh Mohamed’s visit to India in January 2026 and Modi’s trip to the UAE in May 2026.
Focus on investment growth and strategic sectors
The discussion highlighted new avenues for investment between the UAE and India. The leaders welcomed the announcement by International Holding Company regarding an $11.5 billion integrated greenfield aluminium project in Odisha, which India has described as the country’s largest such project in the sector. They also discussed the potential role of L’Imad, the UAE’s newest sovereign investment fund, in bolstering bilateral investments and supporting economic cooperation in areas identified by both nations.
Opportunities in defence, space, nuclear energy, technology, and innovation were also reviewed. These sectors complement the existing economic relationship, which already includes energy, manufacturing, logistics, food products, electronics, and engineering goods. The discussions underscored the broader scope of the UAE-India Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, established in 2017. Both governments are actively expanding cooperation beyond traditional trade and energy sectors into technology-oriented and capital-intensive industries.
Trade between UAE and India exceeds $100 billion
During India’s 2025-26 fiscal year, bilateral trade reached a record high of $101.25 billion. The UAE ranked as India’s third-largest trading partner and second-largest export destination for that period, with Indian exports to the UAE surpassing $37.35 billion. Following the UAE president’s visit to India in January 2026, both countries committed to increasing bilateral trade to $200 billion by 2032, building on the growth achieved since the implementation of CEPA.
The UAE-India CEPA, which was signed in February and came into force on May 1, 2022, aimed to lower or eliminate tariffs on over 80% of products imported by India from the UAE. It also facilitated expanded market access for services and addressed technical barriers to trade. The meeting in New Delhi reaffirmed the ongoing engagement at the leadership level as the two nations develop their commercial, investment, and strategic relationships under existing bilateral agreements.