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 discussions with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi regarding the enhancement of bilateral relations between the United Arab Emirates and India. These talks took place at Hyderabad House amid the 18th BRICS Summit and focused on economic collaboration, investments, trade, and the broader scope of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership connecting the two nations.
The discussions between Sheikh Khaled and Modi centered on the progress made under the UAE-India Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement, or CEPA, which now serves as a vital framework for boosting trade relations. They also covered political engagement, energy partnership, cultural ties, and exchanges involving populations from both countries. The leaders explored how existing bilateral mechanisms could facilitate further commercial and institutional cooperation under agreements already in place between the UAE and India.
Representing the UAE at the BRICS Summit, Sheikh Khaled attended on behalf of President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan. Modi welcomed the UAE delegation in light of India’s upcoming 2026 BRICS chairmanship. Both parties agreed to maintain coordination through BRICS on shared interests. 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.
Economic cooperation expands through new investment initiatives
Investment was a key topic during the talks, especially concerning India’s industrial sector projects. The leaders expressed support for International Holding Company’s recent announcement of an $11.5 billion integrated greenfield aluminium project in Odisha, which India considers its largest integrated aluminium investment. They also discussed L’Imad, the UAE’s newest sovereign investment fund, and its potential to support existing bilateral investment channels connecting Emirati capital to projects and economic activities across India.
Additional areas covered included defence, space, nuclear energy, technology, and innovation. These sectors form part of an evolving relationship that already encompasses energy, manufacturing, logistics, food products, and engineering goods. Since the establishment of their Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in 2017, the UAE and India have continually added new sectors of cooperation while preserving longstanding commercial and energy ties crucial to their trade and investment flows.
Bilateral trade hits historic high
India and the UAE recorded bilateral merchandise trade worth $101.25 billion in the 2025-26 financial year, marking the highest level to date. During this period, the UAE ranked as India’s third-largest trading partner and second-largest export destination. Indian exports to the UAE surpassed $37.35 billion, with both governments aiming to increase total bilateral trade to $200 billion by 2032.
The UAE-India CEPA officially came into effect on May 1, 2022, following its signing earlier that year. It reduced or eliminated tariffs on numerous products and widened access across several service sectors, while also tackling technical barriers that impeded trade. The recent high-level talks in New Delhi further reinforce a relationship strengthened by CEPA, ongoing leadership engagement, and cooperation across trade, investment, and strategic fields.