India-UAE trade crosses $100 Billion, Jaishankar calls for diplomacy

India-UAE trade has crossed the $100 billion mark since the signing of the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said on Tuesday, while calling for dialogue and diplomacy to resolve the ongoing crisis in West Asia.
Welcoming UAE Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan to Mumbai, Jaishankar said the India-UAE relationship was living up to its promise as a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership after more than a decade of sustained engagement.Despite global economic headwinds and regional challenges, the economic partnership between the two countries continued to set new benchmarks, he said, adding that growing two-way investments reflected businesses’ confidence in each other’s economies. Cooperation in defence, energy and technology was also acquiring a strategic character, he noted.

VIDEO | Mumbai: EAM S Jaishankar (@DrSJaishankar) delivers opening remarks during meeting with Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy PM and Minister of Foreign Affairs, UAE. He says, “After more than a decade of sustained engagement, the India-UAE relationship is truly living up to its promise as a comprehensive strategic partnership. This year has been marked by an exceptional level of engagement at the leadership level. We were honoured to welcome Sheikh Mohamed, President of the UAE, to India in January. Sheikh Khaled, the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, led the UAE delegation to the AI Impact Summit in February and subsequently to the 18th BRICS Summit. In May 2024, Prime Minister Narendra Modi made his eighth visit to the UAE. Your Highness, distinguished colleagues, despite global headwinds and regional challenges, our economic partnership continues to set new benchmarks. Bilateral trade has crossed the USD 100 billion mark since the signing of the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), and two-way investments continue to grow, reflecting the confidence our businesses have in each other's economies.” (Source: S Jaishankar’s ‘X’ handle) (Full video available on PTI Videos - https://t.co/bIyFWTfmBd)

— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) October 20, 2026

Expressing concern over the situation in the Gulf, Jaishankar said India would continue to support all efforts to promote peace through dialogue and diplomacy.He reiterated India’s support for the free, safe and unimpeded flow of trade, energy and fertiliser, while thanking the UAE leadership for ensuring the well-being of the Indian community in the country.

#WATCH | Mumbai, Maharashtra: Delivering his opening remarks during meeting with DPM & FM Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan of UAE, EAM Dr S Jaishankar says, "The situation in the Gulf remains a matter of deep concern; we will continue to work together and support all efforts to promote diaolgue and diplomacy. We continue to support free, safe and unimpeded flow of trade, energy and fertiliser. I would also like to thank you today, and through you, the UAE leadership for ensuring the well-being of the Indian community in the UAE." (Video: MEA/YouTube)

— ANI (@ANI) October 20, 2026

Sheikh Abdullah concluded his two-day official visit to India on Tuesday, during which he held delegation-level talks with Jaishankar on October 19 and 20. The two leaders reviewed progress in the India-UAE Comprehensive Strategic Partnership and discussed cooperation in trade, investment, energy, defence, technology and people-to-people ties.According to the agency reports, both ministers expressed satisfaction over the steady progress achieved across key areas of cooperation. They also exchanged views on regional and global developments and agreed to continue close and regular consultations.The visit followed Jaishankar’s official trip to the UAE from October 14 to 16, during which he held discussions with Emirati leaders on bilateral ties and regional developments. He also participated in the Raisina Middle East Dialogue in Abu Dhabi, where discussions focused on regional connectivity, geopolitical challenges and resilient international partnerships.India and the UAE signed the CEPA in 2022 to strengthen economic cooperation and expand bilateral trade and investment. The two countries have since continued to deepen their partnership across economic, strategic and cultural sectors.