Dubai Chambers has highlighted the growing economic relationship between Dubai and India, with bilateral trade and investment reaching new levels and cooperation expanding into technology and the digital economy.

Speaking at The Economic Times World Leaders Forum 2026 in New Delhi, Mohammad Ali Rashed Lootah, President and CEO of Dubai Chambers, revealed that Dubai’s non-oil trade with India reached a record AED222.5 billion in 2025, up 15% year-on-year.

Bilateral trade has grown by 136.2% over the past decade, rising from AED94.2 billion in 2016 and establishing India as Dubai’s second-largest trading partner.

Indian businesses are also expanding their presence in Dubai. During the first half of 2026, 7,579 new Indian companies joined Dubai Chamber of Commerce, taking the total number of active Indian member companies to 85,841, an increase of 15% year-on-year.

Investment flows have strengthened in both directions. Dubai attracted around AED32.3 billion in Indian investments between 2016 and 2025, including AED8.4 billion in foreign direct investment during 2025. Dubai-based companies, meanwhile, invested AED34.1 billion across 147 projects in India over the same decade, contributing to more than 55,000 jobs.

The UAE-India Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), which came into effect in 2022, has further supported growth by reducing trade barriers and improving market access. Dubai’s non-oil trade with India increased by 35% between 2022 and 2025.

Looking ahead, Dubai Chambers expects technology to become increasingly important to bilateral cooperation. Agentic AI, deep tech, fintech and digital services have been identified as key areas for future partnerships.

Dubai Chambers is developing specialised training pathways and incubators focused on Agentic AI, creating further opportunities for Indian technology companies to establish operations, develop solutions and collaborate with businesses in Dubai.

News Source: Emirates News Agency