Senior UAE and Indian leaders meet in Dubai to boost bilateral trade ambitions, unveil new research initiatives and strengthen cooperation under the CEPA framework, reports Asian Lite News Desk
The UAE-India trade corridor moved further into focus this week as senior policymakers and business leaders gathered in Dubai for a high-level meeting aimed at accelerating bilateral economic ties and reinforcing ambitions of reaching $200 billion in trade.
The closed-door event, titled “Strength in Resilience”, was convened by the UAE India Business Council – UAE Chapter and brought together government representatives, industry executives and strategic stakeholders from both countries. The discussions centred on sustaining the rapid growth of one of the world’s fastest-expanding bilateral partnerships, particularly under the framework of the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement.
The gathering came shortly after Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to the UAE, adding momentum to an already strengthening relationship between the two nations.
Among those in attendance were Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, who served as chief guest, Deepak Mittal as guest of honour, and Satish Kumar Sivan.
Speakers highlighted how the UAE-India partnership has evolved into a multi-dimensional alliance spanning trade, investment, innovation and people-to-people ties. Addressing the gathering, Dr Sivan pointed to the momentum generated through CEPA and stressed the importance of sustained collaboration between governments and the private sector to unlock the next phase of growth.
Ambassador Mittal underlined the strategic depth of the relationship, particularly in emerging sectors and global connectivity. He pointed to Africa as a key area of future collaboration, where joint UAE-India investment could unlock opportunities in infrastructure, logistics, digital development and sustainability.
A keynote discussion featuring Dr Al Zeyoudi explored the UAE’s position as a global trade and investment hub, as well as the opportunities arising from closer alignment with India in a shifting global economic landscape. He emphasised the role of the business council in helping drive progress towards the revised $200 billion trade target.
A key moment during the evening was the announcement of a leadership transition within UIBC-UC. Outgoing chair Faizal Kottikollon and co-chair Rizwan Soomar were recognised for their role in strengthening the council’s influence and institutional impact.
They will be succeeded by Nilesh Ved as chair and Adeeb Ahamed as co-chair, marking a new phase for the organisation. The incoming leadership signalled a focus on expanding investment flows, fostering innovation and strengthening cross-border partnerships.
The council also unveiled a series of research initiatives aimed at deepening cooperation across priority sectors. These include studies on tourism development between India and the UAE, joint investment opportunities in Africa, the role of education in driving economic transformation, and emerging trends in retail and consumer markets.
Another internal case study will examine ways to strengthen the practical use of CEPA, particularly for small and medium-sized enterprises, alongside a forthcoming report on the UAE’s long-term investment attractiveness and economic resilience.
Officials said the reports are intended to generate actionable insights and inform policy discussions, while strengthening institutional collaboration between the two countries.
The event also featured a cultural performance celebrating UAE-India ties, reflecting the growing importance of people-to-people connections alongside economic cooperation.
Participants concluded the evening with a renewed call for deeper engagement between government and industry, emphasising the need to accelerate innovation, unlock new investment opportunities and sustain the momentum of bilateral growth.
With trade already expanding rapidly, stakeholders said the focus would now shift towards ensuring that policy frameworks, private sector partnerships and strategic initiatives align to deliver on the ambitious $200 billion target.
