NEW DELHI / RankWire.AI / – During a meeting held in New Delhi on September 12, Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan engaged with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The discussions focused on enhancing the bilateral relationship between the United Arab Emirates and India. These conversations took place at Hyderabad House during the 18th BRICS Summit. They encompassed topics such as economic cooperation, investment, trade, and the broader scope of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership binding both nations.
Sheikh Khaled and Modi assessed the progress made under the UAE-India Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement, also known as CEPA. This agreement now functions as a key framework for expanding trade exchanges between the two countries. Their dialogue also addressed political relations, energy collaboration, cultural connections, and exchanges between their populations. Additionally, the leaders discussed how existing bilateral mechanisms could further facilitate commercial and institutional cooperation under agreements already in place between the UAE and India.
Representing the UAE at the BRICS Summit, the Abu Dhabi Crown Prince attended on behalf of President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan. Modi expressed his welcome to the UAE delegation during India’s chairmanship of the group in 2026. Both leaders agreed to maintain coordination within BRICS on issues of mutual interest. They also acknowledged recent high-level interactions, including Sheikh Mohamed’s visit to India in January 2026 and Modi’s trip to the UAE in May.
Expansion of investment projects boosts economic partnership
Investment was a key focus of the discussions, especially concerning India’s industrial sector. The leaders welcomed the announcement of International Holding Company’s $11.5 billion integrated greenfield aluminium project in Odisha, recognized as India’s largest integrated aluminium investment. They also examined L’Imad, the UAE’s newest sovereign investment fund, and its potential to play a role within existing bilateral investment channels linking Emirati capital to projects and economic initiatives in India.
The conversations additionally covered areas such as defence, space, nuclear energy, technology, and innovation. These sectors are part of a growing relationship that already includes energy, manufacturing, logistics, food products, and engineering goods. Since establishing their Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in 2017, the UAE and India have expanded their cooperation, adding new domains while maintaining longstanding commercial and energy ties vital to their trade and investment relations.
Record-breaking bilateral trade figures
During India’s 2025-26 fiscal year, trade between India and the UAE reached $101.25 billion, marking the highest bilateral merchandise trade volume on record. In this period, the UAE was India’s third-largest trading partner and second-largest export destination. Indian exports to the UAE surpassed $37.35 billion. Both nations have committed to increasing their bilateral trade to $200 billion by 2032.
The UAE-India CEPA went into effect on May 1, 2022, following its signing earlier that year. The agreement reduced or eliminated tariffs on a wide array of products and expanded market access in several service sectors. It also addressed technical barriers hindering trade between the two markets. The high-level talks in New Delhi added to the relationship bolstered by CEPA, ongoing leadership engagement, and cooperation in trade, investment, and strategic sectors.