A new era of India-UAE synergy: Powering trade and innovation

On this auspicious occasion of India’s Independence Day, I extend my heartfelt greetings to all Indians and the friends of India in UAE. Seventy-eight years ago, on August 15, 1947, India awoke to freedom, ushering in a new chapter for one of the world’s oldest civilisations. Today, we celebrate not just our independence, but the extraordinary journey of transformation, resilience, and innovation that has brought India to the cusp of becoming a global powerhouse.

Today, India stands as the world’s most populous democracy and one of the fastest-growing major economies. With a digital public infrastructure that is a global model, a startup ecosystem ranked among the top three worldwide, and a space programme that has reached the Moon, Mars, and now the Sun, India’s developmental journey reflects ambition grounded in inclusion.

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Our progress is not just in numbers — be it record-breaking digital transactions, renewable energy targets, or doubling farm incomes but in lives and families uplifted. Over 250 million Indians have been pulled out of poverty in the past decade, with revolutionary access for over 550 million Indians to banking.

Most consequential bilateral partnership

This day holds special meaning for millions of Indians in the UAE, a country that is home to one of the largest Indian diasporas in the world and a trusted strategic partner of India. India’s enduring relationship with the UAE has evolved into a dynamic, multifaceted and one of the most consequential bilateral partnerships in the 21st century. Anchored in centuries of cultural, commercial, and people-to-people ties, the relationship has in recent years blossomed into a strong, resilient, and forward-looking strategic partnership, shaped by visionary leadership on both sides.

Over the past couple of years, India-UAE ties have witnessed a series of high-level exchanges that have underscored the depth and breadth of our bilateral cooperation. These leadership level interactions have been complemented by regular ministerial visits, dialogues, and working-level mechanisms that continue to energise bilateral cooperation across sectors. 

A cornerstone of India-UAE relations is our robust economic engagement. The Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), which was signed in February 2022, has already begun to yield significant results. Bilateral trade crossed $100 billion in 2024–25, making the UAE India’s third-largest trading partner and second-largest export destination. The CEPA has removed trade barriers, streamlined customs procedures, and facilitated market access for a wide range of goods and services. Indian exports of gems and jewellery, pharmaceuticals, textiles, and engineering goods have witnessed a significant uptick. Investment flows are also surging. The UAE has emerged as a major investor in India’s infrastructure, renewable energy, logistics, food security, and digital economy. 

Energy has long been a pillar of our relationship, and this partnership is undergoing a green transformation. India continues to import significant volumes of oil from the UAE, ensuring energy security and price stability. We have had crucial progress in long-term supply agreements, collaboration in upstream and downstream projects, mutual investment in strategic reserves etc. At the same time, we are actively partnering in the clean energy transition. The India-UAE Renewable Energy Partnership is gaining traction. 

In a groundbreaking development, India and the UAE signed an agreement to integrate UPI (Unified Payments Interface) and RuPay with the UAE’s financial systems. As a result, cross-border remittances are set to become faster, cheaper, and more secure, benefiting millions of Indian workers and professionals in the UAE. This is a major step toward seamless financial integration between our economies.

Food security has emerged as a critical area of cooperation. The India-UAE Food Corridor, backed by UAE investments in logistics, warehousing, and agri-tech infrastructure in India, is enhancing supply chain resilience and ensuring food stability for the region. India has emerged as a reliable partner for the UAE’s food imports, particularly in rice, grains, dairy, and spices.

India and the UAE are also expanding their partnership towards the Poles. The two signed a MoU which will facilitate cooperation in the fields of polar and ocean regions through partnerships in polar operations, research and academic collaborations, capacity building and supporting each other’s presence at the poles.

Educational linkages are growing through MoUs between leading Indian and Emirati institutions. The over 110 Indian curriculum schools serving over 200,000 students continue to play a vital role in nurturing the Indian community while also opening doors to local and international students. No wonder that CBSE’s (India’s largest School Board) first overseas Regional office started in UAE last year. The inauguration of Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad’s first ever overseas campus in Dubai is going to be another feather in the cap of India-UAE education partnership following the footsteps of the establishment of Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Delhi- Abu Dhabi campus last year.

Defence cooperation between India and the UAE has emerged as the new frontier. Joint military exercises such as Desert Cyclone and Zayed Talwar, naval port calls, and training exchanges enhance mutual interoperability and regional security. The signing of the India-UAE Defence Industrial Cooperation Framework marked a major step toward co-development and co-production of defence equipment. The hosting of held the 4th Army-to-Army, 9th Navy-to-Navy, and inaugural Air-to-Air Staff Talks followed by the 2nd India-UAE Defence Industry Partnership Forum just last week augurs well for regional peace and stability. The Indian Coast Guard and UAE Critical Infrastructure and Coastal Protection Authority (CICPA) have strengthened mechanisms for maritime domain awareness, anti-piracy efforts, and search and rescue cooperation in the Arabian Sea and beyond.

The Indian community in the UAE, numbering over 4.3 million, continues to be the foundation of our bilateral ties. Their contribution to the UAE’s development and their role in strengthening India-UAE relations is deeply valued. Whether in business, healthcare, education, technology, or public service, Indians in the UAE are a shining example of integrity, hard work, and dedication. The Indian government, in close coordination with UAE authorities, works to ensure the welfare and rights of Indian workers and professionals. The Consulate remains committed to the well-being of our citizens, with efficient delivery of consular services, outreach programmes, and digital grievance redressal mechanisms.

India and the UAE are not just celebrating a shared past — they are jointly scripting a transformative future. As India emerges as one of the fastest-growing major economies, and the UAE continues to redefine itself as a global innovation and logistics hub, our destinies are increasingly interlinked. Together, we are championing multilateralism, promoting South-South cooperation, and advocating for a rules-based international order. Whether through platforms like the G20, BRICS, I2U2, or the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC), our cooperation is contributing to global growth and stability.

As India celebrates its 79th Independence Day, we do so with pride in our achievements and optimism on the future, with a trusted partner by our side. The India-UAE relationship is a shining example of what can be accomplished through mutual respect, shared interests, and visionary leadership. 

I take this opportunity to extend my warmest greetings to the Indian community and friends of India in the UAE. Let us continue to work together to build a partnership that not only serves our two nations but also sets a benchmark for global cooperation in the 21st century.

Jai Hind!