India-UAE Trade on the Upswing Piyush Goyal’s Visit and the CEPA Momentum

India and the United Arab Emirates are working to improve their economic relationship. Commerce Industry Minister Piyush Goyal’s visit on September 18-19, 2025, shows this effort. During the visit, he will help lead the 13th India-UAE High Level Task Force on Investments (HLJTFI). The focus is to grow what has been started with the India-UAE Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), look at new investment options, and plan for better strategic partnership.

This affects trade, investment, taxes, and fields like space, shipping, and the developing Bharat Mart infrastructure. This visit is meaningful, and the partnership between India and the UAE is developing. We’ve hit our US$100 billion trade goal with the UAE. Since the CEPA began on May 1, 2022, trade has jumped from around US$72.87 billion in 2021-22 to about US$100.06 billion in FY2025. India’s exports to the UAE have also increased, from roughly US$28.04 billion to US$36.63 billion during this time.

Beyond the numbers, the CEPA has helped keep trade on track, and not just for oil. Industries like machinery, precious metals, agricultural tech, iron & steel, and aluminum have all seen positive movement. The India-UAE Bilateral Investment Treaty, agreed upon when Prime Minister Modi visited the UAE in early 2024, backs up this wider investment idea.

The Purpose of Goyal’s Visit: Deepening, Reviewing, Exploring
Minister Goyal’s visit is more than a diplomatic gesture; it has specific interlocutory goals and deliverables. Goyal and Sheikh Hamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan are set to co-chair the 13th HLJTFI meeting. This group, created in 2013, works to increase investment, fix problems for investors, and keep tabs on deals between the two countries.The meeting will cover key issues like how well the CEPA is working, updates to the Double Taxation Treaty, and talks between the UAE and India’s central banks to make trade easier.
A key aim is to get more investment into up-and-coming fields like maritime and space, combining UAE money with Indian skills. Goyal also plans to meet with CEOs and private sector executives. He’ll also participate in roundtables with Dr. Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi to talk about different issues and opportunities. The Bharat Mart in the Jebel Ali Free Zone will serve as a trade and storage hub for small businesses, helping them reach markets more easily.

The Future of India-UAE Relations
Reaching $100 billion in yearly non-oil trade by 2030 seems possible, especially with improvements to infrastructure, better regulatory cooperation, and more financial options. Shifting from oil to things like finished goods, services, renewables, green hydrogen, and tech will help ensure long-term stability. Investment is increasing, with the UAE investing a lot in India and showing growing interest in renewables, fintech, healthcare, and infrastructure. Indian small businesses will the Bharat Mart and deals between the two countries.

Piyush Goyal’s trip to the UAE is a key point in the growing India-UAE relationship. Since the CEPA is already producing solid gains, the focus is now on keeping things moving, strengthening cooperation, making systems easier, and making sure everyone profits, even small companies. If the visit goes well, the India-UAE relationship could become an even bigger source of growth and a prime example of how to do trade in today’s world.