Next phase of India-UAE ties to focus on new areas related to advanced tech, digital economy: UAE BRICS Sherpa

UAE BRICS Sherpa Omran Sharaf has revealed that the upcoming phase of India-UAE relations will concentrate on deepening existing areas of cooperation while venturing into new domains related to cutting-edge technology, research, and the digital economy. Speaking to ANI, Sharaf, who also serves as UAE's Assistant Foreign Minister for Advanced Science and Technology, emphasized that India and the UAE aim to accelerate progress in their current areas of collaboration while simultaneously exploring emerging sectors driven by technological advancements.

The focus will remain on the ongoing areas of collaboration, while simultaneously opening up new fields that are evolving with the advancement of technology, such as the digital economy and other linked areas, Sharaf stated. The Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) signed in May 2022 has contributed significantly to the expansion of the bilateral partnership, particularly in trade and economic sectors like food and beverages, tourism, and industrial cooperation.

Since its implementation, bilateral trade has reached USD 100.06 billion in FY 2024-25, showcasing a 19.6% growth within three years of the agreement's inception. The two nations have set an ambitious target to double their trade to USD 200 billion by 2032, with India being the UAE's largest export destination among their trade agreements.

Sharaf's insights highlight the focus on consolidating existing areas of cooperation while simultaneously creating newer opportunities in technology and research, as both countries strive to advance their partnership to the next stage.