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In a landmark step to deepen the India-UAE economic partnership, the UAE-India Business Council – UAE Chapter (UIBC-UC) convened a high-level closed-door meeting today in Dubai, bringing together senior government officials and business leaders from both nations.
The meeting was attended by Piyush Goyal, India’s Minister of Commerce and Industry, and Dr. Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, UAE Minister of Foreign Trade, reflecting the strategic importance both governments place on strengthening bilateral ties. Also present were Sunjay Sudhir, Indian Ambassador to the UAE, Satish Kumar Sivan, Consul General of India in Dubai, and Shri Aseem R. Mahajan, Additional Secretary (Gulf), Ministry of External Affairs.
UIBC-UC leadership included Faizal Kottikollon, chairman of KEF Holdings and chairman of UIBC-UC; Rizwan Soomar, CEO and managing director – Middle East, North Africa & India Subcontinent, DP World, and Co-Chair of UIBC-UC; and H.E. Major General (Retd.) Sharafuddin Sharaf, Vice Chairman of Sharaf Group. Board members such as Nilesh Ved, chairman of Apparel Group, and Ankur Gupta, head of Corporate Affairs & Growth, MENA at Tata Sons, also participated.
Founding members in attendance included Siddharth Balachandran, executive chairman and CEO of Buimerc Corporation; Amit Jain, Group CEO of Emaar; Rikant Pittie, co-founder of EaseMyTrip; and Neeraj Makin, senior EVP and group head – Strategy, Analytics & Venture Capital at Emirates NBD. Secretariat members Kshitij Korde and Neha Sahni played a key role in facilitating the dialogue.
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At the core of discussions was the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) and its transformative effect on the India-UAE corridor. In the first half of 2025 alone, CEPA drove a record $37.6bn in non-oil trade — a 33.9 per cent year-on-year increase. The agreement has boosted sectoral diversification across gems and jewellery, food processing, telecom, green energy, and digital services, while also catalysing collaboration in emerging fields such as AI, space technology, sustainability, and financial integration.
The UAE’s role as a preferred investment hub for Indian HNWIs and family offices was also highlighted, with participants noting the creation of powerful synergies and joint ventures that align long-term growth strategies between the two nations.
During the meeting, UIBC-UC launched its latest research paper, Strength in Synergy: Unlocking India-UAE CEPA Global Potential. The study positions CEPA as more than a bilateral trade accord, instead framing it as a cornerstone of strategic collaboration across industries and geographies.
“CEPA is no longer just a trade pact, it’s a blueprint for the future,” said Faizal Kottikollon, chairman of UIBC-UC, in the foreword. “This partnership exemplifies how political will, shared vision, and aligned strengths can co-create a model for cross-regional cooperation, innovation, and global leadership.”
Building on UIBC-UC’s 2023 report, The India-UAE Odyssey, the new publication dives deeper into CEPA’s operational impact, offering insights on scaling the agreement into a global model for resilient, innovation-led growth. With both countries active in BRICS, the G20, and the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEEC), CEPA is poised to shape global trade governance and sustainable development.
“By combining India’s manufacturing and tech strengths with the UAE’s infrastructure, investment depth, and global reach, we are charting a new era of collaboration that is future-proof, inclusive, and globally resonant,” Kottikollon added.
The report outlines a roadmap for policymakers, investors, and enterprises, calling for closer cooperation in clean energy, education, research, digital integration, and human capital development.
The closed-door session concluded with a luncheon hosted by UIBC-UC, providing an exclusive opportunity for industry leaders and government delegates to engage directly with the Minister’s high-level delegation.
