UAE - India Relations

In September 2022, EAM visited the UAE during which he co-chaired the 14th Joint Commission Meeting (JCM) and the third Strategic Dialogue with His Highness Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan. During the visit, he also met UAE President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan (MBZ), interacted with the press and had a discussion on foreign policy.

In February 2022, a virtual summit took place between UAE President and PM Shri Narendra Modi during which the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) and several other MoUs/Agreements were signed. During the virtual summit, both leaders also issued a Joint Vision document that will guide India-UAE strategic partnership in times to come. 

In December 2021, he visited Abu Dhabi to attend the 5th Indian Ocean Conference and on the sidelines, met with His Highness Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan (ABZ) and His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan (MBZ) and discussed cooperation and joint action that solidify the strategic partnership between the two countries.

In November 2021, EAM Dr. S Jaishankar visited the UAE to attend Sir Bani Yas Forum in Dubai. During the visit, he also had meetings with His Highness Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan (ABZ) and His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan (MBZ).

In 2021, EAM Dr. S Jaishankar visited the UAE in April and met His Highness Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan (ABZ). In the meeting, they both reviewed the COVID-19 pandemic and cooperation between
India and the UAE.

PM visited UAE in August 2019 to receive UAE's highest civilian award, 'the Order of Zayed’ and which was conferred on him by the UAE President in April 2019. The visit also witnessed the official launch of the ‘RuPay Card’ in UAE, and the release of a set of stamps issued by Emirates Post commemorating the 150th Birth Anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi.

PM Modi visited UAE in February 2018 for the 6th World Government Summit in Dubai, where India was the Guest of Honor; he also met Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of UAE & Ruler of Dubai.

Growing India – UAE economic and commercial relations contribute to the stability and strength of a rapidly diversifying and deepening bilateral relationship between the two countries. India-UAE trade was valued at US$ 180mn per annum in the 1970, today this figure stands out around US$ 77 bn in FY 2022-2023 (April - February).

The cumulative FDI inflows from UAE to India are worth $15.3 Bn for April 2000 to December 2022.

India and the UAE marked the first anniversary of the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), which has been a growth engine for bilateral trade, increasing it by 16% from FY (2021-2022) to FY (2022-2023). The agreement has resulted in the elimination of duties on a large number of tariff lines and has benefited key sectors like Mineral Fuels, Electrical Machinery, Gems & Jewellery, and Automobiles.

India’s major export items to the UAE are: Petroleum Products, Precious Metals, Stones, Gems & Jewellery, Minerals, Food Items (Cereals, Sugar, Fruits & Vegetables, Tea, Meat, and Seafood), Textiles (Garments, Apparel, Synthetic fibre, Cotton, Yarn) and Engineering & Machinery Products and Chemicals. 

India's major import items from the UAE are: Petroleum and Petroleum Products, Precious Metals, Stones, Gems & Jewellery, Minerals, Chemicals, Wood & Wood Products.

The UAE is the second-largest export destination for India (after the US) with an amount of US$ 28.7 bn for the year 2022-2023 (April - February). For the UAE, India was the second-largest trading partner in 2022.

The UAE’s investments in India are mainly in five sectors: Real estate, Ceramics and glass, Transport and warehousing, Financial services, Coal, oil and gas. During April 2000 to December 2022, the cumulative equity flow from the UAE to India is nearly US$ 15.3 bn, making the UAE the 7th largest FDI investor in India.

On 1st September 2022, on the margins of the 14th JCM, an MoU was signed to setup the India-UAE Cultural Council Forum that will facilitate deeper Cultural Cooperation and People to People interactions between the two countries.

Major theaters and cinema halls in the UAE screen commercial Hindi, Malayalam, Telugu and Tamil films. The Emirati community also take part in annual International Day of Yoga events and various schools of yoga & meditation are running successfully in the UAE. 

Indian expatriate community of approx. 3.3 millions is the largest ethnic community in UAE constituting roughly about 30 % of the country’s population. 

There are 130 Indian schools in the UAE following the CBSE and Kerala Board curricula with approx 219,000 students, mostly children of Indian expatriates.

On 26 August 2021, a historic Agreement was signed between the New York University Abu Dhabi (NYUAD) and the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) New Delhi to establish a Visiting Professorship in Social
Science at New York University Abu Dhabi (NYUAD). 

The foundation stone for the first Hindu temple in Abu Dhabi was laid on 20 April 2019 and the ceremony was attended by H.E. Dr. Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, the Minister of Climate Change & Environment of the UAE along with other representatives of the Government of the UAE and the Ambassador.

Soft launch of Gandhi Zayed Digital Museum was done in Abu Dhabi on 04 December, 2018. The Museum was opened for the public on 12th March 2019. In recognition of this unique initiative, the UAE Government presented the Embassy of India and the UAE Ministry of Culture the Pioneers Award for 2019.