Prime Minister Narendra Modi met with Crown Prince Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed of Abu Dhabi on 12 September 2026 during the 18th BRICS Summit in New Delhi. The meeting highlighted the ongoing strategic partnership between India and the United Arab Emirates across multiple sectors. Both leaders discussed how their countries can work together within the BRICS framework and expand cooperation in defence, space and energy.
Key points from the meeting
The two leaders emphasized the strength of India-UAE relations, which rest on political, cultural, commercial, energy and people-to-people connections. They noted recent high-level visits: UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan travelled to India in January 2026, and Prime Minister Modi visited the UAE in May 2026.
Prime Minister Modi acknowledged the UAE’s active role in BRICS during India’s chairmanship of the grouping. Both sides agreed to continue working together through BRICS to pursue shared goals.
On the investment front, the leaders welcomed news of a major project. The UAE’s International Holding Company announced plans to invest USD 11.5 billion in building an integrated greenfield aluminium facility in Odisha. This marks India’s largest integrated aluminium investment to date and is intended to transform Odisha into a global aluminium manufacturing centre.
The leaders also recognized the potential of L’Imad, the UAE’s newest sovereign investment fund, to deepen bilateral ties. They identified new areas for cooperation: defence, space, nuclear energy, technology and innovation were all mentioned as fields where the two nations could enhance collaboration.
What this means for you
If you work in or are linked to India’s aluminium, manufacturing or energy sectors, this investment signals significant industrial expansion ahead, particularly in Odisha. For those interested in India-UAE relations or BRICS developments, this meeting confirms that both countries see each other as key partners for economic and strategic growth. The emphasis on defence, space and nuclear cooperation points to deepening governmental ties beyond trade.