The UAE and India have reviewed progress under the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement aimed at advancing bilateral trade toward a shared target of $100bn. Moreover, the review highlighted continued momentum across trade, finance, and people-to-people cooperation.
The discussions took place during the 16th Session of the UAE–India Joint Committee and the fifth Strategic Dialogue in Abu Dhabi. Therefore, the meeting was co-chaired by Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan and India’s External Affairs Minister, Dr Subrahmanyam Jaishankar.
Digital finance and payments integration
Both sides welcomed progress in digital financial integration. Additionally, this includes the linkage between India’s Unified Payments Interface and the UAE’s AANI platform, alongside interoperability between RuPay and JAYWAN cards.
As a result, the initiatives aim to improve efficiency, reduce transaction costs, and expand financial inclusion. Moreover, businesses, workers, students, and travellers are expected to benefit from smoother cross-border payments.
Education and strategic cooperation
The role of education in strengthening bilateral ties was also underscored. Consequently, the establishment of the Gandhi–Zayed Centre for Peace, Tolerance and Sustainability Studies was described as an important step toward building a sustainable knowledge base.
In this context, progress at the Indian Institute of Technology Delhi Abu Dhabi campus was discussed. Additionally, both sides commended the tangible achievements delivered in a short timeframe, reflecting academic excellence and growing collaboration.
In his remarks, Sheikh Abdullah highlighted the steady expansion of UAE–India relations. Therefore, he emphasised that the Strategic Dialogue and Joint Committee remain effective mechanisms for translating leadership vision into practical outcomes that support mutual prosperity.
