Abdullah Bin Zayed, External Affairs Minister of India co-chair 15th India-UAE Joint Commission Meeting
Fri 13/12/2024
Minister News
H.H. Sheikh Abdullah Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, and Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, Minister of External Affairs of India, co-chaired the 15th India-UAE Joint Commission Meeting held today in New Delhi.
The convening of the Joint Commission emphasises the long-standing historical and strategic ties binding the two countries and their peoples across various fields.
In his speech, H.H. Sheikh Abdullah highlighted the significant progress in UAE-India relations over the years. He underscored the important role of bilateral platforms, including the Joint Commission, in strengthening their unique historical partnership and enhancing cooperation across all areas of benefit to the two friendly nations.
Dr. Jaishankar drew attention to India’s commitment to advancing innovation and driving economic growth in partnership with the UAE.
He emphasised the shared vision that develops the two countries’ collaboration and propels their partnership toward greater horizons.
The agenda of the meeting reviewed the achievements stemming from the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), which has significantly boosted trade between the two countries, reaching approximately US$84 billion in the past year.
Discussions also included outcomes from the Joint Commission’s October 2024 meeting, which addressed implementation matters such as goods, rules of origin, technical barriers to trade, sanitary and phytosanitary standards, and services trade.
They also commended the ratification of the UAE-India Bilateral Investment Treaty (New India-UAE BIT), a pivotal step in establishing a robust legal framework that ensures comprehensive protection and promotes mutual investments. Noteworthy investments were also highlighted, including the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority’s decision to establish a subsidiary in Gujarat International Financial Tec-City, reflecting the UAE's strong confidence in India's sustainable economic growth.
The two sides also explored prospects for cooperation in various spheres, including integrating national digital payment systems, developing the UAE-India food corridor, and expanding cooperation in areas of science, research, education, nuclear energy, space, and critical minerals.
At the end of the meeting, Sheikh Abdullah and Dr. Jaishankar signed the minutes of the commission meeting.
The UAE delegation included Abdullah Bin Touq Al Marri, Minister of Economy; Reem Bint Ebrahim Al Hashimy, Minister of State for International Cooperation; Ahmed Ali Al Sayegh, Minister of State; Khaled Mohamed Balama, Governor of the Central Bank of the United Arab Emirates; Lana Zaki Nusseibeh, Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs for Political Affairs; Saeed Mubarak Al Hajeri, Assistant Minister for Economic and Trade Affairs; Omran Sharaf, Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs for Advanced Science and Technology; Abdulla Balalaa, Assistant Minister for Energy and Sustainable Affairs; Dr. Maha Barakat, Assistant Minister of Medical Affairs and Life Sciences; Dr Abdulnasser Jamal Alshaali, Ambassador of the UAE to the Republic of India.
Following the meeting, Sheikh Abdullah and Dr. Jaishankar witnessed the exchange of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on polar research cooperation.
The MoU was exchanged by Abdulla Balalaa, Assistant Minister for Energy and Sustainable Affairs and Deputy Chair of the UAE Polar Mission Steering Committee, and Dr Ravichandran, Secretary, Ministry of Earth Sciences.
The convening of the Joint Commission emphasises the long-standing historical and strategic ties binding the two countries and their peoples across various fields.
In his speech, H.H. Sheikh Abdullah highlighted the significant progress in UAE-India relations over the years. He underscored the important role of bilateral platforms, including the Joint Commission, in strengthening their unique historical partnership and enhancing cooperation across all areas of benefit to the two friendly nations.
Dr. Jaishankar drew attention to India’s commitment to advancing innovation and driving economic growth in partnership with the UAE.
He emphasised the shared vision that develops the two countries’ collaboration and propels their partnership toward greater horizons.
The agenda of the meeting reviewed the achievements stemming from the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), which has significantly boosted trade between the two countries, reaching approximately US$84 billion in the past year.
Discussions also included outcomes from the Joint Commission’s October 2024 meeting, which addressed implementation matters such as goods, rules of origin, technical barriers to trade, sanitary and phytosanitary standards, and services trade.
They also commended the ratification of the UAE-India Bilateral Investment Treaty (New India-UAE BIT), a pivotal step in establishing a robust legal framework that ensures comprehensive protection and promotes mutual investments. Noteworthy investments were also highlighted, including the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority’s decision to establish a subsidiary in Gujarat International Financial Tec-City, reflecting the UAE's strong confidence in India's sustainable economic growth.
The two sides also explored prospects for cooperation in various spheres, including integrating national digital payment systems, developing the UAE-India food corridor, and expanding cooperation in areas of science, research, education, nuclear energy, space, and critical minerals.
At the end of the meeting, Sheikh Abdullah and Dr. Jaishankar signed the minutes of the commission meeting.
The UAE delegation included Abdullah Bin Touq Al Marri, Minister of Economy; Reem Bint Ebrahim Al Hashimy, Minister of State for International Cooperation; Ahmed Ali Al Sayegh, Minister of State; Khaled Mohamed Balama, Governor of the Central Bank of the United Arab Emirates; Lana Zaki Nusseibeh, Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs for Political Affairs; Saeed Mubarak Al Hajeri, Assistant Minister for Economic and Trade Affairs; Omran Sharaf, Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs for Advanced Science and Technology; Abdulla Balalaa, Assistant Minister for Energy and Sustainable Affairs; Dr. Maha Barakat, Assistant Minister of Medical Affairs and Life Sciences; Dr Abdulnasser Jamal Alshaali, Ambassador of the UAE to the Republic of India.
Following the meeting, Sheikh Abdullah and Dr. Jaishankar witnessed the exchange of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on polar research cooperation.
The MoU was exchanged by Abdulla Balalaa, Assistant Minister for Energy and Sustainable Affairs and Deputy Chair of the UAE Polar Mission Steering Committee, and Dr Ravichandran, Secretary, Ministry of Earth Sciences.
Related News
Wed 08/4/2026
General
MoFA signs MoU with Healthpoint to enhance access to specialized healthcare for employees
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Healthpoint, part of the M42 group, in a step that reflects its ongoing efforts to elevate the quality of healthcare provided to its employees
View Details
Wed 08/4/2026
General
UAE Strongly Condemns Storming and Vandalism of Kuwait’s Consulate in Basra
The United Arab Emirates has condemned and denounced in the strongest terms the storming and acts of vandalism targeting the premises of the Consulate General of the State of Kuwait in Basra, as well as the accompanying blatant attacks.
View Details
Wed 08/4/2026
General
UAE Expresses Disappointment at Security Council's Failure to Act on Strait of Hormuz Crisis
The United Arab Emirates has expressed its deep disappointment at the UN Security Council’s failure to take decisive action to address the global repercussions caused by Iran’s illegal closure of the Strait of Hormuz
View Details
Tue 07/4/2026
General
Abdullah bin Zayed congratulates Nepal's new Foreign Minister, discusses bilateral relations, regional developments
H.H. Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, congratulated Shishir Khanal on his appointment as Nepal’s Minister of Foreign Affairs.
View Details