: India and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) held the 15th Joint Commission Meeting (JCM) in New Delhi, discussing the ambitious India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEEC) and enhancing bilateral cooperation in energy, connectivity, and trade.
Expanding Economic Ties
The meeting was co-chaired by External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and his UAE counterpart Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan. Highlighting the strength of the India-UAE partnership, Jaishankar described it as a “model relationship” during his opening remarks. “Since the entry into force of the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) in May 2022, trade has steadily grown and has now reached USD 85 billion,” he said.
The JCM emphasized strengthening strategic ties in defense, emerging technologies, nuclear energy, polar research, critical minerals, and renewable energy.
India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor
Both nations discussed the IMEEC, a transformative initiative for improving maritime connectivity and trade among India, the UAE, and Europe. The IMEEC was formalized during the G20 Summit in September 2023, with participation from India, Saudi Arabia, the European Union, the UAE, and the United States.
Technological Collaboration
The meeting also highlighted robust cooperation in the fintech sector and the development of public digital infrastructure. The Virtual Trade Corridor (VTC) and MAITRI interface (Master Application for International Trade and Regulatory Interface) were praised for streamlining trade processes through paperless transactions.
Energy and Renewable Initiatives
Both ministers acknowledged the strong bilateral collaboration in the energy sector, including long-term supply agreements and joint projects in upstream and downstream domains. The discussions also focused on emerging areas such as nuclear energy, critical minerals, and green hydrogen.
Promoting Education and Culture
The functioning of the IIT-Delhi Abu Dhabi campus was commended, with progress on establishing campuses for the Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad and the Indian Institute of Foreign Trade in Dubai reviewed.
Future Prospects
The JCM further underscored the importance of sustained collaboration across sectors, reaffirming India and UAE’s commitment to a robust Comprehensive Strategic Partnership that fosters innovation, trade, and cultural exchange.
The meeting concluded with a shared resolve to deepen the bilateral relationship and leverage new opportunities for mutual growth.
