Dubai: As part of the UAE’s mission to enhance global partnerships and build bridges of cooperation, Dubai’s economic ties with India are growing rapidly.
Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister, and Minister of Defence, is on a historic official visit to India, underscoring the UAE’s commitment to deepening cooperation with its South Asian partner.
In this context, the Government of Dubai Media Office has released details showing how investments and trade relations between the two countries, particularly between Dubai and India, have seen remarkable growth, in recent years and how Dubai’s business environment continues to attract Indian entrepreneurs, making it a key hub for South Asian trade.
Soaring investments
In the past five years, Indian investments in Dubai have soared, reaching a total of Dh15 billion, while Dubai’s investments in India have climbed to Dh17.2 billion.
Last year alone, the Dubai Chamber of Commerce welcomed 16,623 new Indian companies, bringing the total number of Indian businesses operating in Dubai to over 70,000.
167 weekly EK flights
DP World, the UAE’s global logistics giant, has operated in India for more than 20 years. In January 2024, it signed a monumental $3 billion agreement to expand its operations in the Indian state of Gujarat, further solidifying Dubai’s strong footprint in India’s infrastructure sector.
Emirates airline, another emblem of Dubai’s strong ties with India, has served the Indian market since 1985. The airline currently operates 167 weekly flights, connecting Dubai to nine Indian cities.
As tourism booms, Dubai saw a record 3.14 million visitors from South Asia in 2024, with India accounting for the largest share of this influx.
UAE-India trade relations
Trade relations between the UAE and India are equally impressive. In 2023, non-oil trade between the two nations reached an impressive $54.2 billion.
Dubai’s trade with India has surged from $36.7 billion in 2019 to $45.4 billion in 2023, reflecting the growing economic dynamism between the two regions.
Sheikh Hamdan’s visit marks a pivotal moment in the continued strengthening of UAE-India ties, as both nations look to expand their partnership across trade, tourism, and investment sectors.
