UAE and India sign 8 strategic agreements across key sectors

Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister, and Minister of Defence; and Piyush Goyal, India’s Minister of Commerce and Industry, on Thursday witnessed the signing of eight Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) aimed at deepening collaboration across key sectors including infrastructure, healthcare, higher education, maritime services, logistics, and private sector engagement.

The MoUs were inked during a special event organised by Dubai Chambers in Mumbai. The signing ceremony formed part of Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mohammed’s official visit to India.

Speaking on the occasion, Sheikh Hamdan said, “India and the UAE are bound by a deep-rooted friendship and a shared dedication to shaping the future through innovation, opportunity, and sustainable growth. Guided by the vision of President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan; His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister, and Ruler of Dubai, our two nations continue to build on a strong foundation of trust and collaboration.

“These MoUs broaden and deepen our strategic partnership in line with our mutual commitment to creating resilient economies, empowering communities, and advancing knowledge, technology, and human development. Together, we are advancing a model of international cooperation that delivers real impact and long-term benefits for the people of our two countries.”

He added, “Building on the strong momentum we have achieved through frameworks like the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement and the Bilateral Investment Treaty. The continued growth in trade, investment, and institutional cooperation underscores the strategic depth of our relationship and the vast potential of our shared vision.”

In a series of agreements that underscore the vital role of business communities in advancing collaboration and mutual growth, Dubai Chambers signed three Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) with the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI), and the IMC Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

The MoUs were signed by Mohammad Ali Rashed Lootah, President and CEO of Dubai Chambers; R. Mukundan, Vice President of CII; Anant Goenka, Senior Vice President of FICCI; Jyoti Vij, Director General of FICCI; and Sunita Ramnathkar, Vice President of IMC.

The MoUs establish a framework for enhanced cooperation in several key areas. Dubai Chambers will support Indian businesses in establishing or expanding their presence in Dubai and provide strategic services aimed at accelerating the investment process.

As part of efforts to reinforce UAE-India connectivity and future-proof global trade infrastructure, DP World signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with RITES, a leading infrastructure, consultancy, and engineering firm under India’s Ministry of Railways.

Signed by Sultan Ahmed Bin Sulayem, Group Chairman and CEO of DP World, and Rahul Mithal, Chairman and Managing Director of RITES, the agreement aims to harness the expertise of both organisations to develop resilient, tech-enabled supply chains and strengthen modern logistics and maritime capabilities, aligned with the long-term economic visions of both nations.

The agreement aims to further leverage the UAE-India Virtual Trade Corridor (VTC), a digital platform launched in September 2024 and developed in collaboration with RITES, to streamline customs, logistics, and regulatory processes between the two countries.

Drydocks World, a DP World company, signed an MoU with Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL), a leading Indian shipbuilding and maintenance facility, under India’s Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways.

The agreement, signed by Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem and Madhu S Nair, Chairman and Managing Director of CSL, establishes a framework for the joint development of ship repair clusters in Kochi and Vadinar, in India, as well as offshore fabrication, and collaborative marine engineering solutions.

The Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) signed an MoU with the Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad (IIMA), one of Asia’s leading business schools and India’s top-ranked business schools, to establish a world-class IIMA campus in Dubai, marking a significant milestone in academic cooperation.

The MoU was signed by Helal Saeed Almarri, Director-General of the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism, and Bharat Bhasker, Director of IIMA.

In another agreement that furthers a common commitment to delivering inclusive healthcare, Dubai Health signed an MoU to establish the UAE-India Friendship Hospital (UIFH), a new not-for-profit initiative aimed at providing inclusive and accessible healthcare, in Dubai. The MoU was signed by Dr Amer Sharif, CEO of Dubai Health, and Founding Trustees of the UIFH including Faizal Kottikollon, Chairman of KEF Holdings and Chairman of the UAE India Business Council - UAE Chapter (UIBC UC); Nilesh Ved, Chairman of Apparel Group and Founding Member of UIBC UC; Siddharth Balachandran, Executive Chairman of Buimerc Corporation and Founding Member of UIBC UC; Tariq Chauhan, Vice Chairman of EFS Facilities and Founding Member of UIBC UC; and Ramesh S Ramakrishnan, Chairman of Transworld Group.

The UAE-India Friendship Hospital (UIFH) is a joint philanthropic initiative endorsed at the leadership level by the governments of Dubai and India that aims to deliver high-quality, affordable healthcare services.

An eighth agreement was formalised between the Dubai Medical University (DMU) and the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), the country’s top-ranked medical institute. The cooperation agreement was signed by Yahya Saeed Lootah, Vice Chairman of the Board of DMU, and Ahamadulla Shariff, Head of the Department of Anatomy at AIIMS.

WAM