India’s External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar arrived in Abu Dhabi on an official visit aimed at strengthening ties between India and the United Arab Emirates, according to reports by ANI.
The visit, scheduled to run until April 12, will include high-level meetings with UAE leadership to review ongoing cooperation and explore ways to deepen the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between the two countries.
Officials from both sides are expected to focus on expanding economic collaboration and accelerating progress toward shared trade goals. India and the UAE have previously committed to doubling bilateral trade to $200 billion by 2032, a target that reflects the rapid growth in economic ties over recent years.
A key driver of this expansion has been the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement, which came into force in 2022. The agreement has helped reduce trade barriers, boost exports and create new opportunities for businesses in both countries.
Data from the UAE Ministry of Economy shows that non-oil trade between the two nations has been growing at double-digit rates. This increase has been supported by rising exports across several sectors, including food products, pharmaceuticals, engineering goods, electronics and gems and jewellery. Services trade has also seen strong growth, reflecting closer integration between the two economies.
The visit comes at a time when both countries are seeking to strengthen economic partnerships and diversify trade amid shifting global conditions. Analysts say the UAE’s role as a major trade and logistics hub, combined with India’s large and expanding market, makes the partnership increasingly significant for both sides.
In addition to trade, discussions are expected to cover broader areas of cooperation, including investment, energy and technology. The two countries have steadily expanded collaboration in these sectors as part of their wider strategic relationship.
Jaishankar’s trip is also seen as part of ongoing diplomatic engagement between New Delhi and Abu Dhabi, with regular high-level exchanges helping to maintain momentum in bilateral ties.
With trade volumes rising and new areas of cooperation emerging, both sides are expected to use the visit to reaffirm their commitment to closer economic and strategic coordination in the years ahead.
