[REVISION HISTORY]

India-UAE commercial and defense cooperation

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2026-09-25 21:26 UTC → 2026-09-30 13:39 UTC · added ~~removed~~

India and the United Arab Emirates continue to expand bilateral cooperation across the commercial and defense sectors. Indian brands utilize the UAE as a strategic gateway to Middle Eastern markets, while the defense sector benefits from the shared use of Rafale fighter jets. To support regional maintenance, Safran Aircraft Engines plans to open a specialized military M88 engine repair center in Hyderabad, India, by late 2026. Commercial ties have strengthened following the 2022 implementation of the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), which has facilitated the removal of 80% of tariffs. Bilateral trade has grown from approximately $73 billion prior to the agreement to roughly $101 billion, with both nations aiming to reach $200 billion by 2032. During the 18th BRICS Summit in New Delhi, Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan met with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to discuss deepening ties in energy, investment, and industrial sectors, including a $11.5 billion commitment for a green field integrated aluminum project. Recent ~~developments have further deepened strategic and~~ defense ~~ties. In Abu Dhabi, the UAE–India Defence Industry Forum was launched to facilitate cooperation between companies in both nations, focusing~~ efforts focused on ~~manufacturing, research and development, and supply chains. This forum was organized by the Tawazun Council for Defence Enablement~~ aligning India’s ‘Make in ~~collaboration~~ India’ programme with the Embassy of India and the Society of Indian Defence Manufacturers. Additionally, UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and Prime Minister Modi held discussions to bolster their Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, addressing cross-border investments and regional stability UAE’s ‘Make it in ~~South Asia and~~ the ~~Middle East.~~ Emirates’ strategy. At the third India–UAE Defence Industry Forum in Abu Dhabi, a 26-member Indian industry delegation met with UAE officials to discuss joint manufacturing, research and development, and supply chain ~~technology.~~ technology, building upon a Strategic Defence Partnership Framework signed in May. While discussions covered advanced technologies, no new production contracts were announced at the event. On the commercial front, the Abu Dhabi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ADCCI) is leading a delegation of over 34 companies to Mumbai for the India–UAE Business Forum. Organized with the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI), the forum aims to connect 114 companies from both nations to explore joint ventures and technological exchange. This follows reported bilateral trade reaching US$101.25 billion in FY 2025–26.

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