In a significant move to strengthen economic and strategic cooperation, H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister, and Minister of Defence, and India’s Minister of Commerce and Industry, Piyush Goyal, witnessed the signing of eight Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) during an official visit to Mumbai.

Signed at a high-level event hosted by Dubai Chambers, the agreements cover key sectors, including infrastructure, healthcare, education, maritime services, logistics, and private sector collaboration—highlighting the growing depth of UAE-India bilateral ties.

Speaking at the event, Sheikh Hamdan highlighted the strength of the UAE-India partnership, grounded in mutual respect and a shared vision for sustainable development. He noted that the agreements build on the momentum of recent frameworks such as the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) and the Bilateral Investment Treaty, which have significantly boosted trade and investment.

Dubai Chambers signed three MoUs with India’s leading business organizations—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 agreements, signed by Dubai Chambers’ President and CEO Mohammad Ali Rashed Lootah and senior representatives from each Indian entity, outline mechanisms to support market entry and expansion for companies from both countries, including investment facilitation, networking opportunities, and business matching services.

The partnerships also include joint participation in trade fairs, investment missions, and regular exchanges of market intelligence and trade data.

DP World, a global logistics company, signed an MoU with RITES, an Indian government-owned infrastructure and engineering consultancy, to strengthen connectivity and supply chain resilience. The agreement aims to leverage the UAE-India Virtual Trade Corridor—a digital initiative launched in September 2024—to streamline customs and regulatory procedures.

The two entities will collaborate on multimodal logistics parks, free trade zones, rail freight networks, and port connectivity projects—crucial to advancing long-term economic goals and strengthening trade routes between the two countries.

DP World’s subsidiary, Drydocks World, also signed an MoU with Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL) to jointly develop ship repair clusters in India and collaborate on offshore fabrication and marine engineering solutions. The partnership supports India’s Maritime India Vision 2030 and Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision 2047, which aim to modernize maritime infrastructure and generate employment opportunities.

In a move to enhance academic cooperation, the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) signed an MoU with the Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad (IIMA) to establish a world-class campus in Dubai. The IIMA Dubai Campus, set to open in phases, will begin operations in Dubai International Academic City later this year, with a permanent campus expected by 2029.

Healthcare collaboration also featured prominently, with Dubai Health signing a MoU to establish the UAE-India Friendship Hospital (UIFH)—a not-for-profit initiative focused on providing inclusive and accessible healthcare in Dubai. The project is endorsed by the leadership of both Dubai and India.

In addition, the Dubai Medical University (DMU) and the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) formalized a cooperation agreement to strengthen academic and research collaboration. The partnership includes student and staff exchange programs, joint research in key health areas, global health initiatives, and cooperation in AI research and digital transformation in healthcare.