How Indian visionaries are shaping the next phase of UAE real estate growth
From capital deployment to community-led development, Indian investors are helping shape the UAE’s globally competitive property markets
- Published: Mon 26 Jan 2026, 11:18 AM
As India celebrates Republic Day, the India-UAE relationship continues to deepen beyond diplomacy into dynamic economic partnership. While trade and talent flows have long bound the two nations, Indians are among the leading investor groups in property markets that are now global magnets for capital and residence across the UAE. The narrative is not just about numbers, but about strategic diversification, long-term growth, and economic vision.
One voice driving this shift is Ankur Aggarwal, Chairman and Founder of BNW Developments. His transition from Chartered Accountant to real estate entrepreneur captures the disciplined approach many investors are adopting. Under his leadership, BNW has built a Dh32 billion portfolio spanning branded residences and lifestyle-linked projects including Aqua Arc, Pelagia, Aquino, Taj Wellington Mews, Tonino Lamborghini Residences, Radisson Blu Hotel and Radisson Blu Residences, FashionTV Acacia; each anchored in fundamentals that prioritise rental depth, location strength, and long-term capital appreciation.
“For many Indian investors, real estate in the UAE is not just about returns. It is about applying the values we have grown up with: resilience, prudence, and a long-term outlook.” Aggarwal adds, “The next growth phase will reward those who look beyond short-term noise and focus on strong locations, credible rental yields, and assets built for sustained relevance. That approach mirrors India’s own economic journey. Steady, strategic, and built to last.” Recent real estate data confirm this strategic momentum; Dubai’s Land Department listed 125,538 real estate transactions worth Dh431 billion in the first half of 2025, up significantly year-on-year, reflecting broad interest and transaction depth.
In 2025, Indians remained the largest group of foreign property buyers in Dubai, with industry data showing they accounted for around 22% of foreign buyer transactions, and in some off-plan segments, their share reached nearly 28%, underscoring robust, not anecdotal, capital flows.
Part of Dubai’s allure is its tax-efficient environment. Today, the UAE does not levy personal income or capital gains tax on individual property holdings, meaning more investor returns stay invested and compound over time. Coupled with the property-linked UAE Golden Visa, which grants residency security for qualifying investors and families, this creates a compelling long-term proposition.
The India-UAE economic ties are also strengthening at a macro level. The UAE attracted record foreign direct investment inflows of Dh167.6 billion (approximately $45.6 billion) in 2024, ranking 10th globally in the UN Conference on Trade and Development World Investment Report 2025, a 48% year-on-year increase from 2023. This surge was supported by reforms including full foreign ownership in mainland companies, competitive tax policies, streamlined licensing processes, and robust legal frameworks that build investor confidence.
A vital part of BNW’s leadership is Dr. Vivek Anand Oberoi, Managing Director and Co-Founder, whose global perspective and entrepreneurial experience complement the company’s strategic direction.
“The India-UAE corridor is more than a capital flow story; it’s a legacy-building opportunity,” says Dr. Oberoi. “Real estate here is about institutions, companies, and communities that endure, much like the vision behind India’s republic values.”
With broader UAE reforms and growing foreign investment playing a foundational role, Aggarwal’s counsel for Indian investors remains rooted in endurance and clarity: follow end-user infrastructure corridors, choose assets with strong rental depth, and align investments with long-term growth cycles, not short-lived headlines.
As India marks Republic Day, the economic narrative with the UAE echoes the same principles: strong institutions, strategic vision, and partnership built for decades, not quarters. In the world of global real estate, that approach could define the next era of cross-border growth.