India and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) have reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening bilateral ties, focusing on energy collaboration, trade, and connectivity. The 15th India-UAE Joint Commission Meeting (JCM), co-chaired by Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and UAE Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, highlighted the deepening strategic partnership between the two nations. Held in New Delhi, the meeting also emphasized the implementation of the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEEC).
Jaishankar described the India-UAE relationship as a “model” partnership, marked by robust and diversified economic and commercial engagement. He noted that bilateral trade, bolstered by the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) signed in May 2022, has reached $85 billion. The ministers welcomed the operationalization of the bilateral investment treaty and applauded strong trade and investment cooperation.
The JCM and the preceding India-UAE Strategic Dialogue covered expanding strategic partnerships in defense, emerging technologies, renewable energy, nuclear energy, and critical minerals. The ministers also discussed regional developments, including the Gaza conflict and the situation in Syria.
A significant focus was placed on advancing the IMEEC, a transformative initiative aimed at enhancing maritime connectivity and trade between India, the UAE, and Europe. This corridor, conceived during the G20 Summit in 2023, seeks to integrate Asia, the Middle East, and Europe through extensive road, rail, and shipping networks.
The ministers also endorsed new initiatives such as the Virtual Trade Corridor (VTC) and the MAITRI interface (Master Application for International Trade and Regulatory Interface). These platforms are designed to streamline trade processes through data exchange and paperless transactions, boosting efficiency in bilateral trade.
Energy cooperation remains a cornerstone of India-UAE ties. Both sides expressed their intent to deepen collaboration in areas such as long-term supply agreements, strategic reserves, and joint upstream and downstream projects. They also explored expanding partnerships in green hydrogen and renewable energy.
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Additionally, the two countries celebrated progress in education and technology collaboration. The IIT Delhi Abu Dhabi campus, inaugurated in September, is operational, and efforts are underway to establish campuses of the Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad and the Indian Institute of Foreign Trade in Dubai.