Latest news with #UAEIndiaRelations
The National
21-05-2025
- Business
- The National
The UAE and India are a 21st-century economic power couple in the making
There is an old saying in the Gulf: 'We are not separated by the sea – we are connected by it.' Few relationships in today's world illustrate that better than the deep and accelerating bond between the UAE and India. For centuries, the two have traded goods, ideas and talent across the Arabian Sea. But what is happening today is different. This isn't nostalgia or a warm diplomatic footnote. This is economic geometry in motion – two of the most dynamic, ambitious and fast-growing forces in the Global South locking into place, creating a new axis of prosperity between the Arabian Peninsula and South Asia. Let us start with the basics. India is the world's most populous nation, and its economy is just getting started. With 1.4 billion people, a median age of 28, and an expanding middle class expected to hit 700 million by 2030, India is no longer 'the next big thing'. It is the current big thing. Its gross domestic product is forecast to grow at 6.7 per cent annually over the next several years, making it the fastest-growing major economy on Earth. The engine? A potent cocktail of digital infrastructure, fintech leadership, manufacturing resurgence and an innovation-first mindset. Now, let us look west. The UAE is writing its own playbook for post-oil prosperity – and winning. Non-oil GDP is rising, sovereign investment arms control more than $2 trillion in assets earning Abu Dhabi the title 'the capital of capital', and diversification is no longer a slogan, it is an operating model. The UAE just leapfrogged into the top 10 globally for foreign direct investment and has become a launchpad for global capital, talent and technology. It is not a stretch to say: this is where the future is being prototyped. So, what happens when a trillion-dollar ambition meets a billion-person momentum? You get a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement, signed at record speed, negotiated faster than any trade deal in the region's history. You get Indian billionaires such as Yusuff Ali (LuLu Group) and Dr Azad Moopen (Aster DM Healthcare) building empires from Dubai. You get a $4 billion fund set up by Abu Dhabi Investment Authority to invest in Indian markets. In fact, you get a $100 billion bilateral trade target, which many believe will be dwarfed by actual flows in the next decade. And you get flights – lots of them. More than 30 per cent of India's outbound international air traffic now routes through the UAE, with new capacity on the runway as carriers double down on demand. But beyond the numbers lies a bigger truth: India and the UAE are building something systemically significant – a bridge between East and West, North and South, tradition and disruption. India is the manufacturing, technology, fintech hub and also a billion-plus people's market. The UAE is the mega investor, trade powerhouse and the futurist. Together, they are proving that South-South co-operation isn't just a development slogan – it is a new engine of global growth. The proof is in the pudding. The power couple are investing in the region, taking off with the India-UAE agreement to develop an energy hub in Sri Lanka. The implications are profound: a new investment corridor for green energy and AI, joint ventures in advanced manufacturing, supply chain resilience built outside traditional western hubs, and a combined tech-and-talent platform that can serve both domestic markets and the wider world. We will also see the power couple complement each other's ambitions, and together influence global trade. The UAE's unabashed quest for excellence will brush off India's aspirations. India has also long looked upon the UAE for its immense stability, poise and efficiently planned implementation of policies and projects. On the other hand, the UAE will gain from India's historical emphasis on skills and higher education, while the UAE looks to strengthen its own. Now together, they will offer to be the world's single most high-tech innovation laboratory, fuelled by the smartest brains and shared aspiration to be at the top. This isn't geopolitics. It is geoeconomics. And it is only just the beginning. The future of global growth won't just be shaped in boardrooms in New York or Shanghai. It will be built across two sunrise economies – between Delhi and Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Ahmedabad, where ambition isn't tempered by bureaucracy, but supercharged by vision. This is the moment. And the world is watching. -- Dr Yasar Jarrar teaches at the Hult International Business School and is managing partner at Gov Campus Dr Miniya Chatterji is chief executive at Sustain Labs Paris, a sustainability-focused venture builder
Trade Arabia
14-05-2025
- Business
- Trade Arabia
Habib Al Mulla and Partners opens office in New Delhi
Habib Al Mulla and Partners, a leading UAE-based law firm, has announced the opening of its new office in New Delhi. This milestone reinforces the firm's long-standing commitment to facilitating cross-border collaboration and investment between the two nations. The expansion comes at a time of growing bilateral engagement, marked by the recent high-level visit of HH Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and UAE Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence, to India. His meetings with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi highlighted a shared vision for closer cooperation in key sectors such as technology, connectivity, and economic integration. The firm, with a distinguished record of regional and international accomplishments, continues to expand its global footprint by connecting the UAE with key emerging markets. This latest initiative positions Habib Al Mulla & Partners as a leader in providing seamless solutions for the Indian companies seeking to enter the UAE and broader Middle East markets as well as UAE investments seeking opportunities in India, it said. The new India-focused platform is designed to serve as a bridge in India and enabling Indian businesses and professionals to connect with the firm's Dubai-based team for matters governed by UAE and international law. The India entity will advise companies and financial institutions on international transactions, ensuring compliance, efficiency, and client service. Dr Habib Al Mulla, Founder of Habib Al Mulla & Partners, commented: 'Our cross-border extension into India reflects our commitment to supporting clients wherever their business interests take them. By connecting India's vibrant business landscape with the legal strengths of Dubai, we offer clients a trusted platform for international growth. We look forward to deepening our partnerships in India and delivering world-class solutions to new and existing clients.' At the heart of this initiative is Habib Al Mulla & Partners' focus on building strong relationships with leading Indian law firms and professionals. The goal is simple — to offer clients seamless, trusted support as they grow their businesses across India, the UAE, and beyond, while always respecting the legal frameworks of each jurisdiction.
Zawya
14-05-2025
- Business
- Zawya
RAKEZ concludes roadshow across India to strengthen bilateral business ties
Ras Al Khaimah: Ras Al Khaimah Economic Zone (RAKEZ) successfully wrapped up a weeklong roadshow across three major Indian cities – Lucknow, Vadodara, and Coimbatore – in collaboration with the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce & Industry and supported by the Federation of Gujarat Industries, Bharat Startup and Innovation Society and The Coimbatore District Small Industries Association. The initiative aimed to explore business opportunities and foster cross-border collaborations between India and UAE-based enterprises. The RAKEZ representatives held B2B meetings with over 150 senior leaders from across India's key sectors, including building materials, auto parts, plastics and chemicals, logistics, manufacturing, technology, infrastructure, healthcare, education and services. The team showcased the competitive advantages of setting up in Ras Al Khaimah, highlighting its business-friendly environment, investor incentives, and strategic position as a gateway to regional and international markets. They also engaged with members of industry associations, trade organisations, and the media, exchanging insights and exploring opportunities for joint ventures, sector-specific partnerships, and deepening UAE-India trade relations. RAKEZ Group CEO Ramy Jallad said, 'India has long been a strategic partner for us, and this roadshow is another step in our continued commitment to strengthening ties with one of the world's most dynamic economies. With over 8,300 Indian entrepreneurs thriving within RAKEZ, our mission is to provide a platform where businesses can scale efficiently, expand globally, and access competitive advantages. Our Indian business missions foster meaningful, long-term partnerships that benefit both economies.' The majority of the 30,000 companies at RAKEZ are owned by Indian investors who are increasingly drawn to the economic zone for its low operating cost, and a suite of customised, cost-effective services tailored to businesses of all sizes. These offerings are part of a wider value proposition that continues to attract Indian enterprises looking to scale efficiently and expand into new markets. Ras Al Khaimah itself offers fertile ground for ambitious investors and entrepreneurs to thrive within a dynamic ecosystem. With world-class infrastructure, a diversified and resilient economy, high quality of life, and comprehensive regional and global connectivity, the emirate provides the ideal foundation for long-term success. The government actively encourages the growth of all types of enterprises—large, medium, or small—by ensuring a seamless set-up experience, simplified processes, and adaptable business solutions. This investor-friendly environment empowers entrepreneurs to launch and scale operations with ease and confidence. RAKEZ's Indian business community includes some of India's most recognised names such as Xpro India Limited (part of the prestigious Birla conglomerate), Royal Gulf Industries, Mahindra, Ashok Leyland, MSSL, KnightRider Technologies FZC, and Dabur Naturelle. Beyond individual companies, RAKEZ has built deep institutional ties with leading Indian business groups, including the Indian Chamber of Commerce, All India Association of Industries, UAE-India CEPA Council, and the Confederation of Indian Industry. To further strengthen its relationship with Indian investors, RAKEZ maintains a dedicated branch office in Mumbai, ensuring seamless engagement and on-the-ground support for companies seeking to establish or grow their presence in the UAE. Through consistent engagement with Indian entrepreneurs and the creation of meaningful partnerships, RAKEZ continues to reinforce its position as India's preferred gateway to the region and a launchpad for global expansion from the UAE. For more information, please contact: Cleo Eleazar, Public Relations & Events Manager, RAKEZ Email: About Ras Al Khaimah Economic Zone (RAKEZ): RAKEZ is a powerhouse business and industrial hub established by the Government of Ras Al Khaimah in the United Arab Emirates. It currently hosts over 30,000 companies coming from over 100+ countries and operating in more than 50 industries. RAKEZ offers entrepreneurs, startups, SMEs and manufacturers a wide-range of solutions, including free zone and non-free zone licences, customisable facilities, and first-class services provided in a one-stop shop. Furthermore, RAKEZ has specialised zones that are tailored to specific needs of investors: Al Nakheel and Al Hamra Business Zones for commercial and service companies; Al Ghail, Al Hamra and Al Hulaila Industrial Zones for manufacturers and industrialists; and an Academic Zone for educational providers. A leading economic zone, RAKEZ aims to continue attracting diversified investment opportunities that will contribute to the economic growth of Ras Al Khaimah.
