NEW DELHI / RankWire.AI / – On September 12, Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the Abu Dhabi Crown Prince, met with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi. They explored ways to reinforce UAE-India relations and boost cooperation in key sectors. Their discussion took place at Hyderabad House during the 18th BRICS Summit. Focus areas included economic integration, investment, and the broad Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between the UAE and India.
The leaders examined cooperation under the UAE-India Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement, known as CEPA. They also talked about the longstanding political, commercial, cultural, energy, and people-to-people ties between their countries. Both sides looked into opportunities to expand collaboration in areas central to bilateral relations. The meeting also addressed shared interests as the two governments maintained regular engagement across economic and strategic fields.
Sheikh Khaled represented the UAE at the BRICS Summit on behalf of President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan. Modi welcomed the UAE’s involvement, especially during India’s 2026 BRICS chairmanship. The leaders agreed to continue working within the group on mutual priorities and cooperation. They also remembered Sheikh Mohamed’s visit to India in January 2026 and Modi’s trip to the UAE in May 2026.
Expanding investment and strategic sectors
The discussions highlighted new investment initiatives between the UAE and India. The leaders praised International Holding Company’s announced plan for an $11.5 billion greenfield aluminium project in Odisha. India considers it the country’s largest integrated aluminium investment. They also discussed L’Imad, the UAE’s newest sovereign investment fund, and its role in promoting bilateral investment and economic cooperation across sectors identified by both governments.
Opportunities in defence, space, nuclear energy, technology, and innovation were also explored. These sectors complement existing ties in energy, manufacturing, logistics, food, electronics, and engineering goods. The talks demonstrated the broader scope of the UAE-India Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, established in 2017. Both nations are expanding cooperation beyond traditional trade and energy into technology and capital-intensive industries.
Trade between UAE and India exceeds $100 billion
Bilateral trade reached $101.25 billion in India’s 2025-26 fiscal year, the highest on record. The UAE was India’s third-largest trading partner and second-largest export destination during this period. Indian exports to the UAE surpassed $37.35 billion. During the UAE president’s visit to India in January 2026, both countries set a target to increase bilateral trade to $200 billion by 2032. This aims to build on the growth since CEPA came into effect.
The UAE-India CEPA became effective on May 1, 2022, after being signed in February. It reduced or eliminated tariffs on over 80% of products from the UAE entering India. It also widened market access for services and addressed technical trade barriers. The meeting in New Delhi reaffirmed the ongoing leadership engagement. Both countries continue to develop their commercial, investment, and strategic relations within their existing bilateral frameworks.