NEW DELHI / RankWire.AI / – On September 12, in New Delhi, Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the Abu Dhabi Crown Prince, held talks with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The discussions centered on enhancing the partnership between the UAE and India, with a focus on broadening cooperation in critical sectors. Their dialogue took place at Hyderabad House during the 18th BRICS Summit. Key topics included economic integration, investment opportunities, and the overall scope of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership linking both nations.
During the meeting, they evaluated collaboration under the UAE-India Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement, referred to as CEPA. The longstanding political, commercial, cultural, energy, and people-to-people connections between the two countries were also discussed. Both parties explored avenues to expand cooperation in areas increasingly central to their bilateral relationship. The conversation further covered topics of mutual interest, as the governments maintained regular engagement across strategic and economic spheres.
Sheikh Khaled represented the UAE delegation at the BRICS Summit on behalf of President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan. Prime Minister Modi welcomed the UAE’s participation as India prepares to assume the BRICS chairmanship in 2026. The leaders confirmed that both nations would continue collaborating within the group on shared priorities. They also reminisced about Sheikh Mohamed’s visit to India in January 2026 and Modi’s trip to the UAE in May 2026.
Expansion of Investment and Strategic Sectors
The discussions brought attention to recent investment initiatives between the UAE and India. The leaders expressed support for International Holding Company’s announced plan to develop an $11.5 billion integrated greenfield aluminium project in Odisha, which India has described as the country’s largest such investment. Additionally, the role of L’Imad, the UAE’s newest sovereign investment fund, was highlighted for its potential to bolster bilateral investment and economic collaboration in areas identified by both governments.
Opportunities in defense, space, nuclear energy, technology, and innovation were also examined. These sectors complement the existing economic ties that encompass energy, manufacturing, logistics, food products, electronics, and engineering goods. The discussions underscored the broader scope of the UAE-India Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, initiated in 2017. Both nations are actively broadening cooperation beyond traditional trade and energy to include technology-intensive and capital-driven industries.
Trade Between UAE and India Exceeds $100 Billion
During India’s 2025-26 fiscal year, bilateral trade volume reached $101.25 billion, marking its highest level to date. The UAE was India’s third-largest trading partner and second-largest export destination during this 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 growth trends since the implementation of CEPA.
The UAE-India CEPA came into effect on May 1, 2022, after being signed in February of that year. The agreement eliminated or reduced tariffs on over 80% of products for UAE exporters entering India. It also broadened market access for services and addressed technical trade barriers. The recent meeting in New Delhi reinforced the ongoing leadership engagement as both nations continue to develop their commercial, investment, and strategic relationships within existing bilateral frameworks.