Context
India and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) have reaffirmed their bilateral relationship, taking their Comprehensive Strategic Partnership to new level during the recent India-UAE Joint Commission Meeting (JCM). The high-level meeting was co-chaired by India's External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar and UAE Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan. It marked a major step forward in cooperation across a wide spectrum of sectors including trade, energy, defence, science, and education.
Outcomes of the meeting:
The two sides decided positively on the following six outcomes
1. Setting up of a campus of IIM, Ahmedabad in Dubai and commencement of first MBA programme in September 2025;
2. Setting up of the first overseas campus of Indian Institute of Foreign Trade at the India Pavilion in Expo City Dubai;
3. Starting construction work of Bharat Mart and the launch of a 3-D rendering of the Bharat Mart complex;
4. Grant of land for UAE-India Friendship Hospital in Dubai;
5. Development of ship-repair clusters at Kochi and Vadinar and
6. Opening of an India Office of Dubai Chamber of Commerce.
About India UAE relations:
Strategic Partnership: In 2017, both nations elevated ties to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, signaling deeper cooperation in security, economy, and defense.
● Both are collaborating in BRICS, G20, and I2U2.
● Joint efforts focus on global sustainability, regional peace, and development goals.
● The India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEEC) is a key connectivity initiative for regional growth.
Trade:
The Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) has boosted bilateral trade to USD 85 billion.
There's optimism about hitting USD 100 billion in non-oil trade soon.
New digital platforms like the Virtual Trade Corridor (VTC) and Maitri Interface are set to streamline and digitize trade.
India exports: Petroleum products, food items, machinery, textiles, gems, and jewelry.
UAE exports: Crude oil, petrochemicals, precious metals.
Strategic Oil Reserve: India stores UAE oil in underground strategic reserves
Green Energy: Joint projects in hydrogen, solar, and waste-to-energy under the IRENA framework and ISA (International Solar Alliance).
Space Collaboration:
ISRO and UAE Space Agency signed MoUs on satellite launches and data sharing.
AI & Fintech:
India and UAE collaborate on fintech regulation, digital payments, and AI innovation.
Education:
Indian curriculum schools (CBSE, ICSE) are widespread in UAE; student exchanges and MoUs between universities are growing.
Defence and security ties:
● The Desert Cyclone military exercise in 2024 marked a milestone.
● Launch of a Defence Partnership Forum to deepen strategic and operational cooperation.
● Both countries reaffirmed commitments to regional stability, especially in West Asia.
Conclusion
The outcomes of the Joint Commission Meeting underscore the multi-dimensional growth of the India-UAE partnership. With tangible progress across trade, energy, defence, science, and education, the strategic ties between the two nations are poised for even deeper cooperation in the years ahead.
