India and the United Arab Emirates have agreed to deepen their strategic partnership, setting a target of doubling bilateral trade to $200bn by 2032, following talks between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan in New Delhi. The announcement followed Sheikh Mohamed’s visit on 19 January, his fifth visit in a decade and third since becoming President.
Both leaders said the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership had strengthened over past ten years, driven by trade, defence, energy, and technology cooperation. Bilateral trade reached $100bn in 2024–25 after the signing of the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement in 2022. They directed officials to intensify efforts to link MSMEs through initiatives Bharat Mart, Virtual Trade Corridor, and Bharat-Africa Setu.
Investment cooperation was reinforced throughthe Bilateral Investment Treaty and discussions on UAE participation in Gujarat’s Dholera Special Investment Region, including airport, port, rail, smart township, and energy projects. UAE sovereign funds were invited to join India’s National Infrastructure Investment Fund.
Energy security featured, with 10-year LNG supply deal between ADNOC Gas and HPCL, cooperation in nuclear energy under India’s SHANTI law. Two sides committed to collaboration in space, AI, digital infrastructure, defence, education, and counter-terrorism, underlining priorities for growth and stability and an innovation agenda.
