India and UAE Review Trade Pact as Goyal Seeks Bigger Investment
India’s Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal will make a two-day visit to the United Arab Emirates on 18 and 19 September 2025 to co-chair the 13th India-UAE High Level Task Force on Investments. The main agenda will be to review the progress of the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement, also known as CEPA, and explore ways to boost investment between the two countries. The meetings will also cover the Double Taxation Treaty and cooperation between the central banks of both nations to make trade smoother.
The visit is expected to bring together top officials and business leaders from both sides. Minister Goyal will co-chair a roundtable with the UAE’s Minister of Foreign Trade, Dr. Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, under the UAE-India Business Council. He will also meet senior UAE leaders including Sheikh Tahnoun bin Zayed Al Nahyan, National Security Advisor and Chairman of the International Holding Company, as well as Ahmed Jasim Al Zaabi, Chairman of Abu Dhabi’s Department of Economic Development. These discussions will focus on priority sectors and opportunities for deeper economic partnership.
What CEPA Has Achieved So Far
Since CEPA came into force in May 2022, trade between India and the UAE has grown strongly. In the last financial year, overall trade including oil and non-oil products crossed 100 billion US dollars. Non-oil trade has shown significant momentum, with sectors such as precious metals, machinery, agritech, iron and steel, and aluminium becoming key growth areas.
The Bilateral Investment Treaty between the two nations has also come into force, providing legal clarity and protection for investors. New initiatives under the partnership include an Invest India office in the UAE, the setting up of an Abu Dhabi Investment Authority unit in India’s GIFT City, the creation of food parks, and the linking of payment systems to simplify trade transactions.
Challenges and Opportunities Ahead
While CEPA has delivered clear gains, some challenges remain. India has raised concerns over increased imports of precious metals and requested stronger checks to ensure that all imports comply with rules of origin. Both countries are also working to improve coordination between their regulators, especially in banking and financial settlements.
At the same time, there is growing interest in expanding cooperation into new areas such as maritime trade, space, financial technology, and green energy. These are seen as sectors that could take the partnership to a higher level in the coming years.
Why This Visit Matters
For India, closer trade and investment ties with the UAE mean greater opportunities for export growth, access to more foreign capital, and entry into new markets. For the UAE, the partnership offers economic diversification beyond oil, entry into India’s fast-growing consumer market, and stronger regional influence.
The India-UAE relationship has expanded in recent years beyond trade to include investments, infrastructure, and people-to-people connections. This visit is seen as an important step to strengthen those bonds and prepare both economies for future challenges and opportunities.
