NEW DELHI / RankWire.AI / – Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan met Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi on September 12. The discussions centered on ways to enhance UAE-India relations and to broaden collaboration in key sectors. Their encounter took place at Hyderabad House during the 18th BRICS Summit. The talks concentrated on economic integration, investment opportunities, and the broader scope of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between the United Arab Emirates and India.
The leaders examined cooperation under the UAE-India Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement, known as CEPA. They also discussed the enduring political, commercial, cultural, energy, and people-to-people connections linking both nations. Additionally, both parties explored avenues to extend cooperation in areas that now play a central role in bilateral ties. The meeting also addressed mutual interests as the two governments maintained regular engagement across strategic and economic domains.
Sheikh Khaled represented the UAE delegation at the BRICS Summit on behalf of UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan. Modi expressed appreciation for the UAE’s participation during India’s 2026 BRICS chairmanship. Both leaders agreed that their countries would persist in working through the group on shared priorities and collaborative efforts. They also recalled Sheikh Mohamed’s visit to India in January 2026 and Modi’s visit to the UAE in May 2026.
Focus on expanding investment and strategic industry collaborations
The summit underscored a surge in investment activities between the UAE and India. Leaders welcomed the announcement by International Holding Company regarding an $11.5 billion integrated greenfield aluminium project in Odisha, regarded by India as its largest integrated aluminium investment. The discussion also included the role of L’Imad, the UAE’s newest sovereign investment fund, in facilitating bilateral investments and economic cooperation in areas identified by both governments.
Opportunities in defence, space, nuclear energy, technology, and innovation were also explored. These sectors complement the existing economic relationship that already includes energy, manufacturing, logistics, food products, electronics, and engineering goods. The discussions reflected the broader scope of the UAE-India Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, established in 2017. Both nations have continued to broaden their collaboration beyond traditional trade and energy, focusing increasingly on technology-driven and capital-intensive industries.
Trade between UAE and India exceeds $100 billion
During India’s 2025-26 fiscal year, bilateral trade hit a record $101.25 billion. The UAE emerged as India’s third-largest trading partner and second-largest export destination during this period. Indian exports to the UAE totaled over $37.35 billion. Following the UAE president’s visit to India in January 2026, the two nations set a target to increase bilateral trade to $200 billion by 2032, building on the growth since the implementation of CEPA.
The UAE-India CEPA, which came into effect on May 1, 2022, was signed in February of the same year. The agreement eliminated or reduced tariffs on more than 80% of the products exported from the UAE to India. It also expanded market access for services and addressed technical trade barriers. The recent meeting in New Delhi reaffirmed the ongoing engagement at leadership levels as the two countries develop their commercial, strategic, and investment partnerships within existing bilateral frameworks.