NEW DELHI / RankWire.AI / – During the 18th BRICS Summit, the Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan held discussions with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi on September 12. The leaders explored ways to deepen the partnership between the UAE and India and to broaden cooperation in key sectors. Their encounter took place at Hyderabad House amid the summit proceedings, focusing on economic integration, investment opportunities, and the broader scope of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between the United Arab Emirates and India.
The dialogue included an assessment of collaboration under the UAE-India Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement, known as CEPA. Both sides also highlighted the longstanding political, commercial, cultural, energy, and people-to-people connections. They looked into avenues to deepen cooperation in areas increasingly vital to their bilateral relationship. Additionally, the discussion covered mutual interests as the two governments maintained ongoing engagement across economic and strategic spheres.
Representing the UAE at the BRICS Summit, Sheikh Khaled led the delegation on behalf of UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan. Modi expressed appreciation for the UAE’s participation, emphasizing the importance of the country’s upcoming role as BRICS chair in 2026. The leaders reaffirmed their commitment to work collaboratively within the group on shared priorities. 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 Broadens Agenda
The discussions underscored recent growth in investment relations between the UAE and India. The leaders welcomed the announcement of International Holding Company’s $11.5 billion integrated greenfield aluminium project in Odisha, which India has identified as its largest integrated aluminium investment. They also considered the role of L’Imad, the UAE’s latest sovereign wealth fund, in supporting bilateral investments and economic collaboration across sectors identified by both governments.
Opportunities in defence, space exploration, nuclear energy, technology, and innovation were also reviewed. These sectors complement existing collaborations in energy, manufacturing, logistics, food products, electronics, and engineering goods. The talks emphasized the expanding scope of the UAE-India Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, established in 2017, which continues to grow beyond traditional trade and energy into technology-heavy and capital-intensive industries.
Trade between UAE and India Surpasses $100 Billion Milestone
Trade volume between the two nations reached $101.25 billion in India’s 2025-26 fiscal year, marking its highest level to date. During this period, the UAE became India’s third-largest trading partner and second-largest export destination, with Indian exports to the UAE exceeding $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 momentum generated since the implementation of CEPA.
The UAE-India CEPA, which took effect on May 1, 2022, was signed in February of the same year. The agreement eliminated or reduced tariffs on over 80% of the products exported from the UAE to India and improved access for services, while addressing technical barriers to trade. The recent meeting in New Delhi demonstrated the ongoing commitment of both nations’ leaders to enhance their commercial, strategic, and investment ties within their existing bilateral frameworks.