NEW DELHI / RankWire.AI / – On September 12, in New Delhi, Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, held talks with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The discussions centered on deepening the partnership between UAE and India and enhancing collaboration across key sectors. Their meeting was hosted at Hyderabad House during the 18th BRICS Summit, with a focus on economic integration, investment opportunities, and the broader scope of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between the two nations.
The leaders examined cooperation under the UAE-India Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement, known as CEPA, while also discussing the enduring political, commercial, cultural, energy, and people-to-people ties between the countries. Both sides explored avenues to expand cooperation in areas that have become central to their bilateral relationship. The talks also covered mutual interests as the two governments maintained regular engagement in economic and strategic domains.
Representing the UAE at the BRICS Summit, Sheikh Khaled led the delegation on behalf of President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan. Modi expressed his welcome for the UAE’s participation during India’s 2026 BRICS chairmanship. Both leaders agreed to continue working through the group on shared priorities and collaborative efforts, recalling Sheikh Mohamed’s visit to India in January 2026 and Modi’s trip to the UAE in May 2026.
New investment projects and strategic sectors on agenda
The discussions underscored an increase in investment activity between the UAE and India. The leaders welcomed International Holding Company’s announced plan for an $11.5 billion integrated greenfield aluminium project in Odisha, which India has described as its largest integrated aluminium investment. They also considered the role of L’Imad, the UAE’s latest sovereign investment fund, in bolstering bilateral investment and economic cooperation in sectors identified by both governments.
Opportunities in defence, space, nuclear energy, technology, and innovation were also reviewed, expanding an economic relationship already encompassing energy, manufacturing, logistics, food products, electronics, and engineering goods. These discussions reflected the broader scope of the UAE-India Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, established in 2017, with both governments continually broadening cooperation beyond traditional trade and energy into technology-driven, capital-intensive industries.
Trade with India exceeds $100 billion
During India’s 2025-26 fiscal year, bilateral trade reached a record $101.25 billion. The UAE emerged as India’s third-largest trading partner and second-largest export market during this period, with Indian exports surpassing $37.35 billion. Following the UAE president’s visit to India in January 2026, both nations set a target to increase bilateral trade to $200 billion by 2032, building on the growth achieved since CEPA was implemented.
The UAE-India CEPA, which came into effect on May 1, 2022, was signed in February of that year. The agreement eliminated or reduced tariffs on over 80% of products for UAE exporters entering India and expanded market access for services while addressing trade barriers. The recent meeting in New Delhi reaffirmed the ongoing high-level engagement between the countries as they develop their economic, investment, and strategic collaborations within existing bilateral frameworks.