India and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) have reaffirmed their commitment to deepen trade and economic cooperation under the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA). The development follows a high-level bilateral meeting between Shri Piyush Goyal, Hon’ble Minister of Commerce & Industry, and H.E. Dr. Thani Al Zeyoudi, UAE Minister of Foreign Trade, where both sides reviewed progress made since the agreement’s implementation.
At the centre of the discussions was the shared ambition of achieving USD 100 billion in non-oil, non-precious metals trade by 2030. The target, officials said, reflects the scale of trust, partnership and opportunity shaping India–UAE ties.
The talks also explored new areas of collaboration, including renewable energy, digital infrastructure, healthcare and supply chain resilience — sectors that are increasingly defining the future of global trade. With India emerging as the world’s third-largest producer of pharmaceuticals, discussions on healthcare regulation and traditional medicine, particularly Ayurveda, highlighted the partnership’s focus on innovation and wellbeing.
The meeting comes close on the heels of the recently concluded India–UK Free Trade Agreement, strengthening India’s positioning in global trade frameworks. Shri Goyal urged Indian industry to “think global,” echoing Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s vision of Viksit Bharat and underscoring the opportunities opening up for Indian businesses to expand, grow and contribute to the nation’s development agenda.
