External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Tuesday, 20 October 2026, said that ties between India and the UAE are today 'really living up to their promise' as a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, and highlighted 2026 as a year of exceptional leadership-level engagement between the two nations. The remarks came during his opening address at a bilateral meeting with his UAE counterpart, Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, in Mumbai.

Leadership Engagement at a New High

Jaishankar pointed to a remarkable run of high-level visits as evidence of the relationship's deepening. UAE President Sheikh Mohammed visited India in January 2026, while Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi Sheikh Khaled led the UAE delegation to the AI Impact Summit in February and subsequently to the 18th BRICS Summit. In May 2026, Prime Minister Narendra Modi made his eighth visit to the UAE — underscoring what both sides describe as a mature and multi-layered partnership.

'After more than a decade of sustained engagement, the India-UAE relationship is today really living up to its promise as a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. This year has been marked by an exceptional intensity of leadership-level engagement,' Jaishankar said.

Trade Crosses USD 100 Billion Milestone

On the economic front, Jaishankar noted that bilateral trade between the two countries has crossed the USD 100 billion mark since the signing of the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) — a threshold that reflects the resilience of ties despite global headwinds and regional challenges. Two-way investments also continue to grow, signalling confidence among businesses on both sides.

'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 CEPA and two-way investments continue to grow reflecting the confidence of our businesses in each other's economies,' he said.

Strategic Cooperation Acquiring New Depth

Beyond trade, Jaishankar noted that collaboration in defence, energy, and technology is acquiring a distinctly strategic character. He also highlighted the strength of people-to-people ties and said cultural cooperation is gaining strong momentum. The minister expressed India's continued support for free, safe, and unimpeded flow of trade, energy, and fertiliser through the region — a reference with clear resonance given ongoing Gulf tensions.

Gulf Situation a Matter of Deep Concern

Jaishankar described the broader situation in the Gulf as a 'matter of deep concern' for New Delhi, reaffirming India's readiness to support dialogue and diplomacy. He also thanked UAE leadership for safeguarding the welfare of the large Indian community living in the UAE — a constituency of millions whose remittances and well-being remain central to India's diaspora diplomacy.

'The situation in the Gulf remains a matter of deep concern. We will continue to work together and support all efforts to promote dialogue and diplomacy,' he said, adding that India values the UAE's role in ensuring the well-being of its community there.

What Comes Next

The bilateral meeting in Mumbai is expected to generate a fresh push across the defence, energy, and technology corridors of the partnership. With both nations having invested heavily in the CEPA architecture and BRICS-linked frameworks, the trajectory points toward institutionalising cooperation in emerging sectors — particularly AI and clean energy — where both governments have signalled shared interest.