India and the United Arab Emirates reinforced their Comprehensive Strategic Partnership during the official visit of Abu Dhabi Crown Prince His Highness Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan to New Delhi on February 18–19, 2026. The visit coincided with the AI Impact Summit, where technology and innovation emerged as central pillars of the evolving bilateral relationship.
CEPA Anniversary and Expanding Trade
Significantly, February 18, 2026 marked four years since the signing of the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) between India and the UAE. Since its implementation, bilateral trade and investment have recorded remarkable growth, strengthening the economic backbone of the partnership.
Both leaders acknowledged the robust two-way investment flows and encouraged deeper participation by UAE sovereign wealth funds in India’s growth story. They also noted the potential of L’Imad, the UAE’s newest sovereign fund, to further accelerate economic collaboration across sectors.
The CEPA has helped boost trade volumes, streamline tariff structures, and improve ease of doing business. According to official information released by the Press Information Bureau (https://pib.gov.in), the agreement has become a cornerstone of India-UAE economic engagement.
AI and Supercomputing Collaboration
A major highlight of the visit was the advancement of artificial intelligence cooperation. A Term Sheet was finalised between the Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (C-DAC), G42, and Mohamed Bin Zayed University of AI for deploying a supercomputer cluster in India.
The project, earlier announced during UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan’s visit to India in January 2026, now moves into implementation mode. The supercomputer cluster will form part of the AI India Mission and will be accessible to both public and private stakeholders for research, commercial applications, and innovation-driven solutions.
This development signals a new era of technology partnership, positioning AI and advanced computing as central to bilateral cooperation. Prime Minister Modi welcomed global collaboration in AI and appreciated Switzerland’s initiative to host the next AI Summit, to be followed by the UAE.
Health and Institutional Partnerships
Beyond technology, both nations expanded cooperation in healthcare. A Memorandum of Understanding was finalised between India’s Ministry of Health and Family Welfare and the UAE’s Ministry of Health and Prevention. The MoU covers professional exchanges, institutional collaboration, research partnerships, digital health innovation, pharmaceuticals, and emerging medical technologies.
Officials believe the health partnership will benefit citizens of both countries by promoting knowledge-sharing and innovation in healthcare systems.
In another significant development, Abu Dhabi National Insurance Company announced the setting up of its office at Gujarat’s GIFT City, reinforcing financial and insurance sector collaboration.
Strategic Sectors in Focus
The discussions also covered cooperation in strategic domains such as defence and security, space exploration, nuclear energy, education, and cultural exchanges. Leaders reiterated their shared commitment to innovation-led growth and people-to-people engagement.
The India-UAE partnership has evolved into one of New Delhi’s most dynamic relationships in West Asia. Regular leadership-level engagement has played a crucial role in sustaining momentum and aligning priorities.
A Technology-Driven Future
The Crown Prince congratulated Prime Minister Modi on the successful organisation of the AI Impact Summit. Both sides expressed confidence that AI, digital transformation, and advanced technologies will serve as future-ready pillars of cooperation.
The visit not only strengthened diplomatic ties but also reinforced high-level political commitment to building a technology-driven alliance. As India and the UAE expand collaboration across traditional and emerging sectors, their partnership continues to shape economic and technological landscapes in the region.
