14th India-UAE High-Level Joint Task Force on Investments Meeting Held in Mumbai

The 14th Meeting of the India-UAE High Level Joint Task Force on Investments (HLJTFI) was held in Mumbai. It was co-chaired by Piyush Goyal, India's Minister of Commerce and Industry, and Sheikh Hamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Managing Director of the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA).

About the India-UAE High Level Joint Task Force on Investments

The Task Force was set up in 2013 to boost trade and investment between the two countries. It also works as a platform where investors can raise problems and get them solved. Two recent high-level visits gave the partnership fresh direction: PM Modi's UAE visit in May 2026 and the visit of Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Sheikh Khaled bin Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan to India in September 2026.

India-UAE Review CEPA Progress and Advance Joint Investment Projects

Trade Numbers

• Bilateral trade in FY 2025-26: US$101.25 billion
• Non-oil trade in 2025: US$76.2 billion
• Target: US$200 billion in bilateral trade by 2032

The two sides credited the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), the Bilateral Investment Treaty (BIT) and agreements on taxation and legal assistance for this growth. They also reviewed the work of CEPA's subcommittees.

Key Investment Projects Discussed

• Food Park project in Gujarat
• Invest India office in the UAE, expected to start working before the end of 2026
• Emirates NBD's stake purchase of about US$3 billion in RBL Bank
• International Holding Company's US$1 billion investment in Sammaan Capital
• A US$11.5 billion joint investment plan for an integrated aluminium complex in Odisha
• New branches of Mashreq Bank, First Abu Dhabi Bank and ADNIC in GIFT City

Financial and Aviation Cooperation

Central banks of both countries are working on local-currency settlement, linking payment and messaging systems, and central bank digital currencies. The meeting also discussed better air links and a possible aviation and logistics hub at Dholera, Gujarat. A Fast Track Mechanism helps solve pending issues of investors in both countries.

India-UAE Partnership Poised for Significant Transformation Through Investment and Innovation

Goyal called the UAE a trusted partner and said the partnership is ready for major change. Future areas of cooperation include energy, infrastructure, technology, artificial intelligence, space, food security, agricultural innovation and startups.