The joint statement outlines a significant deepening of the India-UAE Comprehensive Strategic Partnership following the official visit of President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan to India on January 19, 2026.
THE KEY OUTCOMES:
Economic & Trade Ambitions
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- Target $200 Billion: Building on the success of the 2022 CEPA, the leaders set a target to double bilateral trade to $200 billion by 2032.
- MSME Integration: Plans were fast-tracked for the “Bharat Mart”, “Virtual Trade Corridor”, and “Bharat-Africa Setu” to help smaller businesses access markets across the Middle East, Africa, and Eurasia.
- Dholera Investment: The UAE is exploring a partnership to develop the Special Investment Region in Dholera, Gujarat, including an international airport, MRO facility, and a smart urban township.
- Financial Hubs: The establishment of First Abu Dhabi Bank (FAB) and DP World branches in GIFT City was welcomed as a bridge for GCC-India investments.
Energy & Nuclear Cooperation
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- LNG Deal: A new 10-year agreement was signed for ADNOC Gas to supply 0.5 million tonnes of LNG per year to HPCL starting in 2028.
- Civil Nuclear Shift: Following India’s SHANTI law, both nations agreed to explore partnerships in Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) and advanced nuclear reactor technologies.
Technology, Space & AI
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- Digital Embassies: A pioneering concept to establish “Digital Embassies” under mutually recognized sovereignty arrangements to ensure data security and continuity.
- Supercomputing & AI: Agreement to set up a supercomputing cluster in India. The UAE also expressed support for India’s upcoming AI Impact Summit in February 2026.
- Space Ecosystem: A joint initiative to drive the commercialization of space, aiming for joint missions and the creation of an integrated space industrial base.
Culture & Education
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- House of India: A new “House of India” will be established in Abu Dhabi as a cultural landmark.
- Educational Integration: Plans to link India’s Digilocker with UAE platforms for seamless authentication of academic degrees, facilitating easier movement for students and professionals.
- Maritime Heritage: The UAE will provide artifacts for India’s National Maritime Heritage Complex at Lothal.
Defence & Security
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- Strategic Defence Partnership: The signing of a Letter of Intent to move toward a formal Strategic Defence Partnership, focusing on joint military exercises and regional stability.
- Counter-Terrorism: Both leaders reiterated a “zero tolerance” stance on terrorism and pledged continued cooperation through the FATF framework.
This visit highlights a shift from a traditional buyer-seller relationship in energy to a multi-dimensional alliance involving high-tech manufacturing, food security, and digital infrastructure.
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