India and UAE Deepen Investment Partnership at 14th High Level Joint Task Force Meeting

India and the United Arab Emirates have agreed to expand cooperation across investment, energy, infrastructure, technology, artificial intelligence, logistics, aviation, food security and startups during the 14th meeting of the India-UAE High Level Joint Task Force on Investments held in Mumbai on September 28, 2026.

The meeting was co-chaired by Union Minister of Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal and Sheikh Hamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Managing Director of the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority. Both sides reviewed the progress of the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement, major joint investment projects and new areas for long-term economic collaboration.

India-UAE Economic Partnership Gains Further Momentum

The High Level Joint Task Force on Investments was established in 2013 as a mechanism to promote trade and investment between India and the UAE while addressing concerns faced by investors from both countries.

Over the years, the platform has evolved into an important institutional channel for reviewing major investments, identifying new opportunities and resolving issues affecting bilateral business activity.

The latest meeting came amid sustained political engagement between the two countries, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to the UAE in May 2026 and the visit of Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Sheikh Khaled bin Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan to India in September 2026.

Bilateral Trade Crosses $100 Billion

India-UAE bilateral trade reached $101.25 billion in FY 2025-26, while non-oil trade stood at $76.2 billion in 2025.

The two countries are working towards a shared target of $200 billion in bilateral trade by 2032, with investment cooperation expanding across sectors such as energy, infrastructure, technology, artificial intelligence and advanced industry.

Both sides reviewed the role of the India-UAE Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement, the Bilateral Investment Treaty and agreements covering taxation and legal cooperation in strengthening the overall economic relationship.

The meeting also examined the work of relevant CEPA subcommittees and discussed ways to improve trade resilience in an increasingly complex global economic environment.

Major UAE Investments in India Reviewed

The Joint Task Force reviewed the progress of several major investment projects, including the Food Park project in Gujarat.

Both sides also noted the expected opening of an Invest India office in the UAE before the end of 2026, which is intended to facilitate greater investment flows and provide institutional support to investors.

Recent UAE investments in India were also highlighted. Emirates NBD has announced an approximately $3 billion acquisition of a majority stake in RBL Bank, while International Holding Company has committed around $1 billion to Sammaan Capital.

The two sides also noted a joint investment intent of $11.5 billion for the establishment of an integrated aluminium complex in Odisha.

UAE Financial Institutions Expand Presence in India

India and the UAE welcomed the expansion of Emirati financial institutions in India’s financial-services sector.

Mashreq Bank, First Abu Dhabi Bank and Abu Dhabi National Insurance Company have established branch offices in GIFT City, strengthening financial links between the two economies.

The expansion of UAE institutions in India’s international financial hub reflects the growing integration of banking, insurance and capital-market cooperation within the wider bilateral partnership.

Local Currency Settlement and Digital Payments Advance

Financial-sector cooperation remains a major pillar of India-UAE economic relations.

The two sides reviewed work being undertaken by the Reserve Bank of India and the Central Bank of the UAE on local-currency settlement, payment-system integration, messaging infrastructure and central-bank digital currencies.

These initiatives are intended to make cross-border transactions more efficient and reduce friction in bilateral trade and investment.

Both countries agreed to support the timely implementation of these mechanisms as part of efforts to create a more connected financial ecosystem.

Energy, AI and Technology Emerge as Priority Sectors

The delegations identified several sectors with strong potential for future investment, including energy, industrial manufacturing, logistics, infrastructure, technology, artificial intelligence, space, food security, agricultural innovation and startups.

Energy cooperation was also reviewed under agreements signed during Prime Minister Modi’s visit to the UAE in May 2026.

The widening sectoral scope reflects the shift in India-UAE economic relations from conventional trade towards investment-led partnerships in technology-intensive and strategic industries.

Dholera Aviation and Logistics Hub Discussed

Civil aviation formed another important part of the discussions.

India and the UAE examined ways to improve air connectivity between Abu Dhabi and India in support of wider commercial and investment links.

The two sides also explored opportunities for collaboration in developing an aviation and logistics hub at Dholera in Gujarat, adding another dimension to the growing India-UAE infrastructure partnership.

Fast Track Mechanism to Resolve Investment Issues

The meeting reviewed progress under the UAE-India Fast Track Mechanism, which has been created to address issues affecting UAE companies operating in India as well as Indian companies investing in the UAE.

Both sides agreed to continue working towards the timely resolution of outstanding concerns.

The mechanism complements the broader role of the High Level Joint Task Force by providing a practical channel for resolving investor-related challenges and improving the ease of doing business across the two markets.

India-UAE Partnership Expands Beyond Traditional Trade

Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal said the partnership between India and the UAE is entering a period of significant transformation, supported by investment, innovation and development.

Sheikh Hamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan highlighted the role of the Joint Task Force since 2013 in supporting investors, addressing challenges and identifying new areas of cooperation.

The 14th High Level Joint Task Force meeting reflects the growing depth of the India-UAE economic partnership. With bilateral trade already above $100 billion and major investments expanding across finance, energy, manufacturing, technology, logistics and artificial intelligence, both countries are building a broader economic relationship driven by long-term capital, innovation and strategic collaboration.

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References

Press Information Bureau, Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Government of India — “14th India-UAE High Level Joint Task Force Meeting Held in Mumbai,” September 28, 2026.

Government of India — India-UAE Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement.

Government of India and Government of the United Arab Emirates — India-UAE High Level Joint Task Force on Investments.

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