UIBC-UC gathers UAE and Indian leaders to advance USD 200 billion trade corridor

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UIBC-UC brought together UAE and Indian leaders in Dubai to advance bilateral trade, investment and strategic cooperation goals.

Dubai: The UAE India Business Council – UAE Chapter (UIBC-UC) convened senior government dignitaries, business leaders, and strategic stakeholders from the UAE and India for an exclusive closed-door evening titled “Strength in Resilience,” reaffirming the strength, resilience, and future trajectory of one of the world’s fastest-growing bilateral partnerships.

Held in Dubai, the gathering brought together influential voices from government, trade, investment, and industry to reflect on the extraordinary momentum of the UAE-India corridor and the shared ambition of achieving USD 200 billion in bilateral trade.

The evening was attended by His Excellency Dr. Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, UAE Minister of State for Foreign Trade, as Chief Guest; His Excellency Dr. Deepak Mittal, Ambassador of India to the UAE, as Guest of Honour; and His Excellency Satish Kumar Sivan, Consul General of India to Dubai and the Northern Emirates. The programme also featured remarks from leading members of the Council and prominent representatives of the UAE-India business community.

Held against the backdrop of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to the UAE last week, the evening centred on resilience as a catalyst for transformation, underscoring how the UAE has emerged stronger and more agile in the aftermath of global challenges. Discussions highlighted the accelerating momentum in UAE-India relations, with both nations deepening cooperation across not just economic sectors but also people to people connection.

In his special address, H.E. Satish Kumar Sivan highlighted the unprecedented momentum generated through the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) and emphasized the importance of sustained public-private collaboration in unlocking the next phase of bilateral growth.

Addressing the gathering as Guest of Honour, H.E. Dr. Deepak Mittal emphasized the strategic depth of the UAE-India relationship and the growing alignment between the two nations across economic priorities, global connectivity, and future-focused industries. He especially focused on how the UAE-India partnership can unlock opportunities globally, with Africa being highlighted in particular.

A keynote fireside chat featuring CEPA architect H.E. Dr. Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, moderated by Business Today Editor Siddharth Zarabi, explored the UAE’s evolving role as a global trade and investment hub, as well as the opportunities emerging from stronger UAE-India collaboration amid shifting global economic dynamics. H.E. Dr Thani used the opportunity to underscore the pivotal role the UIBC-UC will play in achieving the revised CEPA bilateral trade target of $200 billion.

A significant highlight of the evening was the announcement of a new leadership chapter within UIBC-UC, marking an important milestone in the Council’s evolution as a catalyst for bilateral economic engagement. The Council acknowledged the contributions of the outgoing leadership, including Faizal Kottikollon, Outgoing Chair, and Mr. Rizwan Soomar, Outgoing Co-Chair, whose stewardship played a pivotal role in strengthening the Council’s strategic relevance and institutional impact.

Reflecting on the transition, Kottikollon said, “The UAE-India partnership stands today as one of the world’s most dynamic bilateral relationships. It has been a privilege to contribute to strengthening this platform for dialogue, collaboration, and shared growth.”

He also personally welcomed UIBC-UC’s incoming leadership, with Nilesh Ved assuming the role of Chair and Adeeb Ahamed taking over as Co-Chair, ushering in a renewed phase of collaboration, ambition, and strategic engagement for the Council.

Ved was very optimistic about the road ahead telling the business community in the room to see the current situation as an opportunity for deal-making and growth. He added, “As the UAE and India deepen their strategic and economic ties, UIBC-UC will continue to serve as a bridge for innovation, investment, and next-generation partnerships that create long-term value for both nations.”

The evening also witnessed the launch of UIBC-UC’s latest research initiatives aimed at shaping future dialogue, policy thinking, and investment collaboration between the UAE and India.

These initiatives included:

Bridging Destinations: A Blueprint of the India-UAE Tourism Landscape – a follow up to the tourism coffee table book launched by UIBC-UC last year, the paper analyses India and UAE tourism ecosystem, highlighting tourism as a catalyst for bilateral growth, cultural diplomacy, and investment.

India-UAE CEPA: Internal case study – assessing operational and regulatory opportunities to further strengthen CEPA utilization, particularly for MSMEs or as described over the course of the evening as CEPA ++.

Capital and Capability: India-UAE Investment Synergies in Africa – as articulated in HE Dr Deepak Mittal’s address, this paper explores joint investment opportunities for India and UAE across Africa’s infrastructure, logistics, digital ecosystem, sustainability, and human development sectors.

Bridging Horizons: UAE-India Partnership and the Future of Education-Led Development -examines how education, cross-border philanthropy and innovation can drive inclusive socio-economic transformation.

Opportunities for Growth in the Consumer and Retail Sectors in UAE and India – developed jointly with Arthur D. Little, examining emerging consumer and retail trends in India and UAE, with cross-border expansion opportunities, success stories and strategic recommendations for businesses.

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