UAE President Visits India, Celebrates $100B Trade Milestone
UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan visits India to celebrate $100B trade milestone and set $200B target by 2032.
New Delhi, India — At the invitation of the Prime Minister of India, Shri Narendra Modi, President of the United Arab Emirates, His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, paid an official visit to India on 19 January 2026. The historic visit marks a significant milestone in bilateral relations as the two nations celebrated crossing the symbolic $100 billion trade threshold and pledged to double this figure by the end of the decade.
Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed, who shares a very warm relationship with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, will be on his third official visit to India. This was the UAE leader's fifth visit to India in the last decade and his third official visit as President.
Historic Economic Partnership Achievement
The UAE President's latest visit comes at a time when bilateral trade has crossed the symbolic $100 billion mark in 2024-25, while more than 4.3 million Indian expats, representing 35 per cent of the UAE's total population, form the backbone of people-to-people connections between the two nations.
The remarkable growth in trade reflects the success of the partnership framework established between the nations. The robust trade relationship was fortified when both nations signed the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) in February 2022, opening new avenues for commerce and investment.
For India, the UAE is the second-largest export destination, with exports reaching $37 billion in the same fiscal year. The diversified trade basket demonstrates the strength of economic integration across multiple sectors, from traditional commodities to emerging industries.
Ambitious $200 Billion Trade Target by 2032
During the bilateral talks, the two leaders set their sights on even greater economic cooperation. Buoyed by the enthusiasm of the business communities on both sides, they decided to double bilateral trade to target US$ 200 billion by 2032. This ambitious goal reflects confidence in the sustained growth of bilateral economic relations over the coming years.
To achieve this target, they directed their teams to work towards connecting Micro, Small and Medium Sector Enterprises (MSMEs) on both sides. In this context, they called for the expeditious implementation of key initiatives, such as the 'Bharat Mart', the 'Virtual Trade Corridor' and the 'Bharat-Africa Setu' to promote MSME products across the Middle East, West Asia, Africa and the Eurasia region.
The UAE has committed to invest $75 billion in India's infrastructure, a pledge that signals long-term confidence in India's growth trajectory. These investments promise to strengthen India's development while creating mutual economic benefits.
Energy and Strategic Defense Cooperation
Energy security emerged as a crucial area of cooperation during the visit. The two nations welcomed signing a 10-year LNG Supply Agreement between Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited (HPCL) and ADNOC Gas for the delivery of 0.5 million tonnes per year of liquefied natural gas, beginning in 2028. This long-term agreement underscores the UAE's critical role in India's energy security strategy.
Defense cooperation also received significant emphasis. Defence ties were elevated with a Letter of Intent to work towards a Strategic Defence Partnership Framework covering defence manufacturing, innovation, cyber security, training, and counter-terrorism.
Technology and Innovation Initiatives
The two nations are increasingly collaborating on cutting-edge technologies. Welcoming the decision to collaborate on the establishment of a supercomputing cluster in India, they also agreed to explore cooperation in setting up data centres in India. The two leaders directed their teams to explore the possibility of establishing 'Digital Embassies' between the UAE and India, under mutually recognised sovereignty arrangements.
President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan expressed support for the AI Impact Summit to be hosted in India in February 2026. This commitment demonstrates the UAE's interest in India's digital and artificial intelligence transformation.
People-to-People Connections
At the heart of the India-UAE partnership lies a deep connection between the peoples of both nations. The UAE hosts the largest number of Indian passport holders in the world, with more than 4.3 million Indian expats here representing 35 per cent of the country's total population. Annual remittances made by the Indian expat community in the UAE rank among the highest in the world, providing vital support to families across India while contributing significantly to both economies.
Cultural ties have also flourished in recent years. IIT Delhi's Abu Dhabi campus was inaugurated in September 2024. IIM Ahmedabad's branch campus opened in Dubai in September 2025. The Indian Institute of Foreign Trade signed an MoU in October 2024 to establish a campus at Expo City Dubai.
Strategic Partnership in Turbulent Times
The meeting largely focused on strengthening cooperation across trade, energy, defense and emerging technologies, India's foreign secretary Vikram Misri told reporters, reaffirming the comprehensive strategic ties that has expanded over the past decade. It also highlights the strategic depth of the India-UAE relationship and underscores the intent of the two nations to remain close partners at a time of regional uncertainty and global realignments.
The successful visit underscores the maturity and resilience of India-UAE relations, transforming from a traditional partnership into a comprehensive strategic alliance that spans economic, security, cultural, and technological domains. With the $100 billion trade milestone achieved and ambitious plans for the future, both nations are poised to deepen their cooperation in the years ahead.
Sources
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