Mumbai: External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and UAE Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan met in Mumbai on October 20 to review bilateral ties and explore ways to deepen the India–UAE Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. The discussions covered trade, investment, energy, technology and regional security, reinforcing the importance of the relationship amid uncertainty in West Asia.
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The economic relationship provides a strong foundation. Bilateral trade reached approximately $101.25 billion in FY2025–26, keeping the UAE among India’s largest trading partners. Both countries are sought to expand trade and investment under their Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), which came into force in May 2022.
Energy security and regional stability remained important dimensions of the partnership. Disruptions across the Gulf can affect oil and gas supplies, shipping routes and wider commercial flows. The two sides discussions therefore carried significance beyond bilateral commerce, particularly for India’s energy-import requirements and the security of regional trade.
The talks also reflected efforts to broaden cooperation across technology, investment and other strategic sectors. However, the public announcements do not confirmed any new defence contract or a specific joint-production agreement. The immediate focus remained on strengthening existing frameworks and identifying further areas of cooperation.
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