India, UAE eye $100-bn non-oil bilateral trade target by 2030

India and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) have agreed to strengthen their Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement with a target of $100 billion for non-oil bilateral trade amid changing dynamics in world trade triggered by the sharp hike in US tariffs announced by US President Donald Trump.

The issue was discussed at a meeting held by Union Minister of Commerce & Industry Piyush Goyal, with the UAE's Minister of Foreign Trade, Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, last week on further deepening the India–UAE Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), according to an official statement issued.

The ministers reviewed the progress made under the CEPA and reaffirmed the shared vision of expanding bilateral trade towards the target of $100 billion non-oil, non-precious metals trade by 2030. Discussions included collaboration in emerging sectors such as renewable energy, digital infrastructure, supply chain resilience, and healthcare. Both ministers emphasised the importance of working closely in the current global scenario to strengthen the bilateral economic partnership. Goyal highlighted the resilience and inherent strengths of the Indian economy, which have enabled it to surge ahead during challenging times. The ministers agreed on the importance of working with diverse partners for mutual benefit.

Both sides underlined the need for timely trade data sharing for better monitoring under the CEPA and agreed that the Sub-Committee on Services will convene within two months. The Indian side welcomed the formation of the Emirates Drug Establishment and its role in addressing concerns of Indian pharmaceutical companies. On market access and regulatory issues, both ministers agreed to take up matters for early resolution in the CEPA Joint Committee.

Goyal welcomed the UAE’s growing investments in India’s infrastructure, logistics, and food processing sectors, and appreciated Dr Thani’s leadership in advancing multilateral trade cooperation. The ministers noted the importance of initiatives such as the Local Currency Settlement System (INR–AED) and Bharat Mart in the UAE as enablers of trade facilitation. The meeting underscored the India–UAE partnership as a defining alliance of the 21st century, rooted in innovation, sustainability, and shared prosperity.