India-UAE High Level Joint Task Force on Investments: 13th Meeting Highlights

The 13th meeting of India-UAE High Level Joint Task Force on Investments was held in Abu Dhabi, chaired by Sheikh Hamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Managing Director of the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority and Indian Minister, Piyush Goyal. The meeting covered the progress of the ongoing projects, such as the Bharat Mart in the UAE, and addressed the opportunities in the maritime sphere, space sphere, and trade in local currencies and digital currencies implementation. The India-UAE Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) signed in May 2022 has led to a large increase in bilateral trade with non-oil trade increasing by 34 percent in the first half of 2025.

Key Points in Detail

Co-Chairs and Attendees

• Under the chairmanship of Sheikh Hamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan (UAE) and Shri Piyush Goyal (India).

• It was attended by senior officials in different government ministries and investment entities in both countries such as the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, the Ministry of External Affairs, the Reserve Bank of India, and Invest India.

Bilateral Trade and Investment Development.

• India-UAE CEPA: The agreement, which was signed in May 2022, has seen the bilateral trade increase in tandem by almost 38 billion in the first half of 2025, an increase of 34 percent in comparison to 2024.

• Bharat Mart Project: A 2.7 million square feet facility in Jebel Ali Free Zone will be used to display Indian products to the world market as a sign of an increasing economic relationship between India and the UAE.

Future Areas of Cooperation

• Maritime Sector/Space Sectors: The two countries discussed the possibilities of further cooperation in the spheres.

• Central Bank Digital Currencies and payment systems: Development of bilateral trade in local currencies and uniting payment systems between India and the UAE.

Strategic Programs and Problems.

• The two nations examined current strategic plans and also collaborated towards solving the challenges encountered by investors.

• These two actors agreed to complete the work on Central Bank Digital Currencies (CBDC) and payment systems.

Leadership Remarks

• Sheikh Hamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan: Spotted the remarkable development of business and investment between India and the UAE and assured the necessity to proceed with mutual success by the efforts of the task force.

• Piyush Goyal: Underlined the fact that India was the fastest-growing large economy of the world, and that the UAE is playing a major role in the growth story of India.

Conclusion

The 13 th edition of the India-UAE High Level Joint Task Force was a great step towards improving the bilateral economic association and particularly in terms of trade, investment and strategic partnership in various fields. There is a future of transformation in the India-UAE partnership with initiatives such as Bharat Mart and further development of integration of payment systems and sustainability and innovation. The CEPA is still a major catalyst in the process of market accessibility and cooperation between the two countries in the sphere of a private sector, which enhances the relations between both states.