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 officials focused on deepening bilateral ties between the United Arab Emirates and India. Their conversation took place at Hyderabad House during the 18th BRICS Summit. Topics included economic collaboration, investment opportunities, trade expansion, and the broader Comprehensive Strategic Partnership linking both nations.
During the meeting, Sheikh Khaled and Modi assessed developments related to the UAE-India Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement, known as CEPA. This agreement has become a key framework for boosting trade activities between the two economies. The discussion also addressed political relations, energy cooperation, cultural exchanges, and people-to-people connections. The leaders explored ways existing bilateral mechanisms could further support commercial and institutional collaborations under existing agreements between the UAE and India.
Representing the UAE, the Abu Dhabi Crown Prince participated in the BRICS Summit on behalf of President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan. Modi expressed his welcome to the UAE delegation during India’s 2026 chairmanship of the group. Both leaders agreed to maintain coordination through BRICS on shared interests. They also acknowledged recent high-level visits, including Sheikh Mohamed’s January 2026 trip to India and Modi’s May visit to the UAE.
Economic cooperation expands with new investment initiatives
Investment was a key focus of the discussions, particularly regarding India’s industrial sector. The leaders welcomed International Holding Company’s announced $11.5 billion integrated greenfield aluminium project in Odisha, which India has designated as its largest integrated aluminium investment. They also examined L’Imad, the UAE’s latest sovereign investment fund, and its potential to facilitate bilateral investments and connect Emirati capital with projects and economic activities in India.
Other areas discussed included defence, space exploration, nuclear energy, technology, and innovation. These sectors complement an already growing partnership that spans energy, manufacturing, logistics, food products, and engineering goods. The UAE and India established their Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in 2017, and since then, both governments have broadened cooperation while sustaining longstanding commercial and energy links vital for trade and investment flow.
Trade volume hits unprecedented high
During India’s 2025-26 fiscal year, bilateral trade between India and the UAE reached $101.25 billion, setting a record for merchandise trade. In this period, the UAE ranked as India’s third-largest trading partner and its second-largest export destination. Indian exports to the UAE surpassed $37.35 billion, with both nations aiming to increase total bilateral trade to $200 billion by 2032.
The UAE-India CEPA, which took effect on May 1, 2022, following an earlier signing that year, reduced or eliminated tariffs on a wide array of products and improved access across various service sectors. The agreement also tackled technical barriers impacting trade between the two markets. The high-level talks in New Delhi added to the ongoing relationship supported by CEPA, consistent leadership engagement, and cooperation across trade, investment, and strategic areas.