Relations over rivalry, people over politics: India looks to build BRICS bridges in uncertain world

Abu Dhabi: The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has become a full member of the BRICS alliance, joining the group in January 2024. This expanded role bolsters the UAE's commitment to deepening economic and trade partnerships, as well as its standing in global markets. The BRICS nations collectively represent a significant portion of the world's population, economy, and trade.

The UAE's membership aligns with its strategy of economic openness and diversifying its partnerships. The UAE Crown Prince will head the delegation at the upcoming BRICS Summit in New Delhi. Non-oil foreign trade between the UAE and BRICS countries surged to $312 billion in 2025, a 28.5 percent increase from $243 billion in 2024.

BRICS countries accounted for 31 percent of the UAE's total non-oil foreign trade, with significant contributions in imports, non-oil exports, and re-exports. This growth is linked to the UAE's Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) programme, which has forged 38 deals since 2021, including agreements with India and Indonesia, both BRICS members.

UAE-China trade jumped to $111.5 billion in 2025, a 24.5 percent rise, surpassing the $100 billion milestone for the first time. UAE-India trade in the first half of 2026 reached Dh107.5 billion, fueled by the UAE-India CEPA. The UAE also strengthened its role as a logistics hub for BRICS through improved trade corridors and reduced transit times, particularly with Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Central Asia.

This strategic positioning enables the UAE to attract investment from BRICS countries, especially in sectors such as mining, transport, financial services, information technology, clean energy, and automotive industries. The UAE's membership in BRICS supports balanced economic relations, sustainable growth, and the country's presence in emerging and developing markets, while broadening its participation in the group's economic and financial initiatives.