Archive · 14 Sep 2026
India-UAE Partnership Emerges as BRICS Cooperation Model
India and the United Arab Emirates are working more closely on business and trade.
A report says their partnership could show how countries cooperate within BRICS.
Trade between India and the UAE reached $101.25 billion in FY26.
The two countries want to increase that amount to $200 billion by 2032.
They are developing projects such as Bharat Mart and a Virtual Trade Corridor.
They are also cooperating through the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor.
These projects are intended to make it easier to move goods, investments and supplies.
Many Indian companies are also joining the Dubai Chamber.
A report describes the expanding India-UAE strategic and economic partnership as a model for cooperation within BRICS.
Bilateral trade reached $101.25 billion in FY26, exceeding $100 billion for the second consecutive year.
India and the UAE aim to increase bilateral trade to $200 billion by 2032.
Bharat Mart, the Virtual Trade Corridor and IMEC cooperation are supporting trade, investment and logistics links.
Indian companies registered with Dubai Chamber reached 85,841 by June 2026, after 7,579 firms joined during the first half of the year.
- Who
- India and the United Arab Emirates, with the partnership discussed in a Gulf Today report.
- What
- The countries are expanding strategic, economic, investment and logistics cooperation described as a model within BRICS.
- When
- Trade reached $101.25 billion in FY26; the UAE-India CEPA has operated since 2022, and company figures cited are from June 2026.
- Where
- Between India, the United Arab Emirates and connected global markets, including through Dubai and BRICS.
- Why
- To expand trade, investment, supply-chain integration, logistics connectivity and private-sector opportunities.
- FY26 bilateral trade
- $101.25 billion
- Trade target
- $200 billion by 2032
- CEPA
- Operational since 2022
- Indian companies in Dubai Chamber
- 85,841 active members by the end of June 2026
- New Indian firms
- 7,579 joined Dubai Chamber in the first half of 2026
- Year-on-year increase
- 15 per cent
- Electronics exports
- The United Arab Emirates and China together accounted for 88.50 per cent of India’s electronics exports to BRICS
